Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly condemned the reported massacres in parts of Kwara, Katsina and Benue states, describing the incidents as a grim indication of Nigeria’s deteriorating security situation.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Atiku said the scale and frequency of the attacks underscore a profound failure of the state to fulfil its primary responsibility of protecting the lives of citizens, particularly those in vulnerable communities.
He criticised what he described as routine condemnations issued after mass burials, stressing that such responses are no longer sufficient. According to him, Nigeria’s security architecture must shift from reactive measures to proactive, deliberate and preventive strategies to stem the tide of violence.
Atiku warned that communities that have suffered repeated attacks should not be left exposed to criminal elements, noting that continued inaction effectively turns such areas into “open hunting grounds” for assailants.
Expressing personal grief over the killings, the former vice president called on the Federal Government, state governments and local communities to work together in a coordinated and decisive manner to bring an end to the violence.
He emphasised that the loss of even a single Nigerian life represents a grave and unforgivable failure of governance.
Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice President of Nigeria and a two-time presidential candidate, has repeatedly advocated comprehensive security reforms to address the country’s persistent challenges with violence and insecurity.
