ABUJA — Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has voiced sharp criticism of the current federal government following the abduction of family members of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
"No One is Safe"
In a statement issued Wednesday by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku characterized the abduction as a grim indicator that the nation’s security architecture has failed. He argued that the incident underscores the "frightening depth" of Nigeria’s insecurity crisis, asserting that under the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, no citizen remains insulated from the threat of violence.
The former Vice President expressed his solidarity with the Adelabu family and condemned the brazen nature of the attack, which reportedly took place in broad daylight at the Challenge Bus Stop, one of Ibadan’s busiest commercial hubs.
“If the endless cries of ordinary Nigerians were not enough to spur this government into action, one would have expected that an attack affecting the family of a former member of the administration would finally underscore the urgency of the crisis,” Atiku stated.
Demanding a Strategic Shift
Atiku Abubakar urged the Tinubu administration to move beyond what he termed a "reactive approach" to national security. He called for an immediate implementation of a proactive, intelligence-driven strategy specifically designed to:
Dismantle Kidnapping Syndicates: Moving from passive monitoring to the active neutralization of criminal networks.
Secure Vulnerable Communities: Enhancing the physical protection of both urban centers and rural areas that have become targets for criminal gangs.
Restore Public Confidence: Implementing policies that demonstrate the state’s capability to fulfill its primary constitutional duty of protecting lives and property.
Context of the Incident
The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of the former Minister’s sister and her children, stating that investigations are currently underway. The incident has intensified local and national pressure on security agencies to act swiftly, as the frequency of high-profile kidnappings continues to trigger widespread concern regarding the stability of the southwestern region.
