Former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar has blamed the increasing wave of criminal activities – kidnapping, insurgency, robbery and sundry violent crimes on high level poverty and hunger in the land.
Reacting to recent upsurge in insecurity in the land , especially the killing of Nabeeha by her kidnappers in Abuja, Atiku expressed distress, lamenting the wasting of precious lives on daily basis.
In a lengthy post on his verified X account @atiku on Monday, the Adamawa born politician cum businessman said:
“The escalating violence and lawlessness in our nation deeply distresses me as bandits and kidnappers continue their reign of terror unchecked. Our youths and innocent citizens are being murdered daily. Just last Saturday, we lost Nabeeha to her captors. Yesterday, the tragedy deepened with the murder of more victims, including Folorunsho Ariyo, a 13-year-old student. Folorunsho was one of ten people kidnapped from Sagwari Estate Layout in Dutse, Bwari Area Council of the FCT, on January 7th, 2024.
“It is obvious that the worsening poverty and hunger in the land is escalating the level of kidnapping and insecurity in Nigeria, particularly in Abuja, the federal capital.
“When the government fails to fulfil its constitutional obligations of protecting the lives and property of citizens, it is an invitation to kidnappers and other criminal elements to have a free rein visiting houses and hotels in and around the capital city, kidnapping citizens without resistance. This is a sad development.
“It is imperative that the authorities address this dire security situation urgently to regain the trust of the Nigerian people.
“While I mourn with the deceased families, I pray to the Almighty to comfort them, grant the dead eternal peace and protect our nation. -AA”.
