Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu over his reaction to the killing of an abducted teacher in Oyo state, accusing the presidency of responding to insecurity with “press statements”.
Last Friday, gunmen invaded the Esiele community in Oriire local government area of Oyo State, killing two persons and abducting pupils, students and teachers from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.
On Monday, Tinubu described the attack as barbaric and assured Nigerians that security agencies were working to rescue the remaining victims.
Reacting in a statement issued on Tuesday through Phrank Shaibu, his senior special assistant on public communication, Atiku said the federal government had reduced leadership to “post-tragedy press statements”.
“At a time when armed criminals are abducting schoolchildren, slaughtering innocent citizens, and turning communities into graveyards, President Tinubu’s response remains the same tired ritual,” he said.
“Condemn the killings, threaten that the perpetrators will face the full wrath of the law, and then wait for the next massacre.”
NIGERIANS ARE TIRED OF REPEATED STATEMENTS
The former vice-president said Nigerians were tired of repeated condemnations without visible action.
“Nigerians have heard this script too many times. It has become painfully predictable and utterly meaningless,” he said.
“President Tinubu must stop governing by obituary statements.”
Atiku also described the killing of the abducted teacher and attacks in parts of Katsina State as evidence of a collapse of leadership and security.
“This is no longer just a security failure. It is a moral failure. A leadership failure. A national disgrace,” he said.
The former PDP presidential candidate accused the government of reacting only after tragedies had occurred.
“A president who only finds his voice after blood has been spilled is not leading but presiding over failure,” he said.
Atiku further warned against any attempt to suppress images or reports of killings across the country.
“If this government is indeed more interested in censoring evidence of mass killings than in preventing the killings themselves, then that is not merely incompetence — it is cruelty of the highest order,” he said.
He called for the immediate rescue of the remaining abducted victims and demanded urgent reforms to Nigeria’s security architecture.
“Nigerians deserve more than performative outrage and ceremonial condolences,” he added.
“They deserve a government that can protect lives, defend communities, and act before tragedy strikes.”
