By Kelvin Adegbenga
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s recent attempt to score political points from the unfortunate kidnapping of schoolgirls in Kebbi State is yet another reminder of how easily some politicians slip into opportunism when national security is involved.
His criticism of the Federal Government’s handling of the situation was not only misplaced but also reflects a worrying ignorance of how modern security operations work.
From credible briefings, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the military were able to track the kidnappers in real time and even established contact with them. In any professional security architecture, this is a superior strategy to storming the location and “neutralising” the criminals, an approach that could have resulted in tragic collateral damage, including the death of the abducted children.
It is, therefore, unfortunate that Atiku’s reaction seemed to favour a reckless use of force, just so he could still turn around and accuse the security agencies of acting unprofessionally. That type of thinking is not only dangerous but deeply insensitive to the lives of the innocent girls.
Let us not forget that during Atiku’s era as Vice President, Nigeria was plunged into the Niger Delta crisis, a conflict that raged until the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua introduced the Amnesty Programme.
If Atiku could not manage the situation in his own time, he should be the last to pontificate on matters of security management today.
Atiku also claimed that kidnapping has now been reduced to a “routine phone call between criminals and state officials.” But this narrative conveniently ignores one fact: those contacts helped secure the safe return of the abducted schoolgirls.
If Atiku believes otherwise, he should present evidence, real evidence, of his sweeping claim that “terrorists and bandits have become an alternative government, negotiating, collecting ransom and walking away untouched.” Empty political rhetoric is not evidence.
It is important to remind Atiku that national security is not a playground for campaign points. His latest statement will not win him the 2027 presidential election, and trivialising the safety of Nigerians will certainly not help his political relevance.
The Bola Tinubu-led administration has consistently demonstrated commitment to protecting Nigerians and all residents of the country, even in the face of complex security challenges inherited over the years.
In the spirit of fairness, it is only right to commend the Federal Government for the successful rescue of the 38 victims abducted from a church in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.
This outcome is a reminder that progress is being made, even if political actors choose not to acknowledge it.
Security demands seriousness, responsibility, and national unity. It is time Atiku realised that Nigeria’s safety is bigger than his political ambitions.
Kelvin Adegbenga writes from Ikeja, Lagos. email: kelvinadegbenga@yahoo.com X: kelvinadegbenga
