Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria’s former Vice President, has strongly condemned the latest wave of killings in Plateau State, blaming the worsening violence on the Tinubu administration’s inadequate security framework.
The recent onslaught in the Kimakpa axis of Kwali district in Bassa LGA led to the deaths of 47 people, following closely after a similar assault in Bokkos.
Both attacks have raised new concerns about the deepening crisis of insecurity in the region.
In a press release through his spokesperson, Paul Ibe, Atiku slammed the federal government for allowing the situation to spiral.
“Every sincere Nigerian should be worried about the frequency and impunity with which terrorists and bandits attack innocent people in the country, especially in Northern Nigeria, which has become the epicentre of terrorist violence in the country,” he stated.
The former vice president lamented the persistent killings in Plateau and Borno states, urging authorities to implement real-time, impactful solutions.
He labelled the security situation as “disgraceful,” citing it as a threat to national peace.
Among his chief concerns was the government’s failure to prosecute apprehended terrorists. He linked the recurring violence to the absence of consequences.
“If the government had applied the same energy in the prosecution of terrorists and bandits as it did in the trial of political critics, it would have gone a long way to send a powerful message to the outlaws that there are consequences for mass murder,” Atiku said.
He called on the Attorney General of the Federation to initiate swift trials of detained suspects, proposing the establishment of special courts to accelerate the process.
“At least hundreds of terrorists and bandits have been in custody since 2016 without trial, and the delay in bringing them to justice is demoralizing to our security forces.
“If terrorists and bandits are captured and left in custody for too long without trial, it undermines the efforts and sacrifices of our security forces,” he noted.
Atiku also highlighted the weak border security that continues to allow terrorists to enter the country unchecked.
He stressed that stronger policies and enforcement, not just verbal condemnations, are necessary.
“What is needed are prompt and proactive measures to forestall further attacks and loss of innocent lives,” he emphasized.
He warned that unless these criminals are brought to justice without delay, their attacks on innocent Nigerians will persist with boldness and impunity.