Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has rapped the administration of President Bola Tinubu, accusing it of abandoning the North-Central region to bloodshed.
He said insecurity in the area had reached alarming levels under the current government.
In a statement, on Tuesday, Atiku said states such as Kwara, Niger, Plateau, and Benue had witnessed a resurgence of killings, kidnappings, and militant attacks, while the Federal Government looked away.
“Kwara, once safe, is now a hotspot of bandit and kidnap attacks.
“Niger State has seen militants attack military bases, murder soldiers, and even massacre worshippers in a mosque.
“Plateau and Benue continue to bury their dead while the Federal Government pretends nothing is wrong,” the statement read.
The former vice president claimed that by May 2025, over 10,000 lives had been lost in Northern states in the two years of Tinubu’s rule, with Benue State accounting for more than half.
2027 Presidency: I’ll discount Tinubu’s electoral value by one million votes — Senator Marafa
He lamented that mass killings had since continued weekly.
Atiku further accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of focusing on suppressing the opposition rather than addressing insecurity, alleging that the party had used “thugs, infiltrators, and hired hooligans” to disrupt political meetings in Kaduna, Kebbi, and Ogun.
He also criticised security agencies for failing to act in those cases, insisting that their silence and inaction amounted to complicity.
“Violence is a vicious circle that will eventually consume those who use it.
“Any politician who needs violence to win is desperate, unpopular, and dangerous to democracy,” Atiku warned.
He reminded the Nigeria Police to remain neutral, stressing that they were funded by taxpayers and not the ruling party.
“Anything less is betrayal of public trust,” he said.
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
