Presidency, Atiku Clash Over Nigeria’s Insecurity, Killings

The Presidency and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have exchanged words over Nigeria’s security situation, with both sides presenting contrasting accounts of the government’s performance in tackling terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

Atiku had criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu following a report that 5,091 Nigerians were killed in violent incidents within three months. He described the figure as evidence of the government’s failure to protect lives and property.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that the reported death toll should concern the Federal Government and prompt a review of its security policies.

He also linked the security challenges to what he described as poor management of public funds, arguing that inadequate implementation of defence allocations and unnecessary government spending could affect the ability of security agencies to operate effectively.

According to Atiku, security personnel require more than improved salaries to perform effectively. He called for better equipment, adequate operational funding, timely allowances and improved welfare for troops and their families.

The former vice president argued that the reported killings represented a failure of the government’s primary responsibility to protect citizens and said the situation provided reasons for Nigerians to demand a change of leadership in 2027.

Responding, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, said Atiku had ignored the successes recorded by security agencies while focusing only on negative developments.

Ajayi claimed that security agencies had killed between 13,000 and 20,000 terrorists within the same three-month period and rescued more than 10,000 Nigerians from kidnappers, bandits and insurgents.

He cited recent rescue operations as evidence of the government’s efforts, including the recovery of hundreds of abducted Nigerians in the North-Central region.

The presidential aide said security forces were also arresting terrorists, disrupting their operations and targeting their logistics networks and informants.

He accused Atiku of focusing on insecurity for political reasons and argued that the former vice president should acknowledge the efforts of security personnel who were involved in rescue and counterterrorism operations.

Ajayi also dismissed the suggestion that the security situation showed the Tinubu administration had failed, expressing confidence that the President would secure victory in the 2027 election.

The Nigeria Police Force also challenged Atiku’s assessment. Force spokesperson Ani Iniedu said available security data indicated that violent crime had declined considerably in recent months.

He argued that broader security data should be considered when assessing the country’s security situation rather than relying on a single set of figures.

The Federal Government has pointed to several recent operations as evidence of progress in the fight against insecurity. These include the rescue of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State after weeks in captivity and the recovery of 308 Nigerians abducted in Kwara and Niger states.

The government has also directed security agencies to improve early-warning systems and strengthen intelligence gathering at the community level to prevent mass abductions.

Atiku, who is seeking the presidency in 2027 on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, has continued to criticise the Tinubu administration over its handling of insecurity and the economy since the 2023 presidential election.