Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the latest killings in Southern Kaduna, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s administration of failing in its constitutional duty to protect Nigerians.
Reacting to reports of fresh attacks in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Atiku described the massacre as evidence of the government’s inability to tackle the country’s worsening insecurity.
He said no administration could claim progress while citizens continued to be killed in their homes and communities by armed criminals operating without fear of consequences.
“The reported killing of scores of innocent Nigerians in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State is heartbreaking and unacceptable. Every life lost is a painful indictment of a government that has repeatedly promised security but continues to preside over an expanding landscape of bloodshed,” he said.
Atiku also criticised the Tinubu administration for allegedly focusing on what he described as an unverified claim of receiving a letter of commendation from the United States government instead of addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
According to him, the government’s priority should be protecting lives rather than seeking international recognition while communities remain under attack.
“It is deeply troubling that while Nigerians mourn yet another massacre, senior officials of this administration have been busy criss-crossing television studios and social media platforms brandishing what they describe as an unverified claim of a letter of commendation from the United States Government,” he stated.
Drawing a comparison with the United States, Atiku argued that governments that value human life spare no effort in protecting their citizens.
“The people of Southern Kaduna—and indeed all Nigerians—do not need letters of praise from foreign capitals. They need security. They need to sleep without fear, travel without anxiety, cultivate their farms in peace and raise their children without the constant threat of terrorists, bandits and other violent criminals,” he added.
The former vice president maintained that governments should be judged by their ability to guarantee public safety rather than by public relations campaigns or diplomatic endorsements.
“Governance is not a public relations exercise. It is measured by the safety of the people and by a government’s ability to protect its citizens from harm. Until that constitutional obligation is fulfilled, every celebration of external praise rings hollow,” he said.
Atiku called for a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s security architecture, urging the Federal Government to adopt intelligence-driven operations, ensure the swift prosecution of offenders and implement proactive measures to prevent further attacks.
He also expressed condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Southern Kaduna while urging security agencies to strengthen surveillance as political activities ahead of the 2027 general election intensify.
“It is my sincere hope that this horrific massacre was not politically motivated. However, as the nation gradually approaches another political season, the security agencies must not only identify, apprehend and prosecute those responsible for this heinous crime, but must also take anticipatory and pre-emptive measures to strengthen security around vulnerable communities that could become targets of similar attacks,” he added.
In his closing remarks, Atiku said governments would ultimately be remembered for how well they protected their citizens.
“History will not remember how many letters of commendation a government claimed to have received. It will remember whether it protected its people when they needed protection the most. Today, the blood of innocent Nigerians speaks far louder than any unverified claim of international praise,” he stressed.
