Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has described the abduction of the sister and nephews of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, as a stark reminder of Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, warning that no citizen is immune from the growing threat of kidnapping.
In a statement issued on Wednesday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the incident highlighted the depth of the country’s security challenges and underscored the urgent need for decisive action by the federal government.
The former vice-president expressed shock that the abduction occurred in the heart of Ibadan, particularly around the busy Challenge Bus Stop area, one of the most populated and recognisable locations in the city.
According to him, the ability of kidnappers to carry out such an operation in a major urban centre without interception reflects the deteriorating state of security across the country.
Atiku noted that while ordinary Nigerians have endured years of kidnappings and violent crimes, the latest incident involving the family of a prominent political figure should serve as a wake-up call for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He questioned whether government officials who may have become accustomed to reports of insecurity would now appreciate the severity of the crisis when it affects individuals within their own circles.
The former vice-president lamented that families across Nigeria continue to suffer immense trauma as kidnappers and other criminal elements operate with increasing boldness.
He argued that if the persistent cries of ordinary citizens had not prompted stronger government action, the abduction of a former minister’s family should underscore the urgency of addressing the nation’s security crisis.
Atiku further stated that insecurity has become so widespread that no individual, regardless of status or position, can consider themselves completely safe.
He stressed that the primary responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property, adding that any administration unable to guarantee citizens’ safety is failing in its most fundamental duty.
The former vice-president also decried what he described as a disturbing reality where many Nigerians now factor potential ransom payments into their financial planning, while parents live in fear of receiving devastating news about their loved ones.
He called for the immediate rescue of Adelabu’s sister and her children and urged security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend and prosecute those responsible for the abduction.
Atiku reiterated the need for urgent and comprehensive measures to tackle kidnapping and other forms of violent crime, warning that the continued deterioration of security threatens public confidence and national stability.
The comments come amid growing concerns over the rising wave of kidnappings and attacks across several parts of the country, with citizens and stakeholders calling for stronger security measures to protect lives and restore public trust.
