By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has expressed concern over the escalating violence and lawlessness in Nigeria, charging the federal government to address this dire security situation urgently to regain the trust of the Nigerian people.
Atiku made the call against the backdrop of murdering of more kidnapped victims, including Folorunsho Ariyo, a 13-year-old student.
According to the former president, it is the worsening poverty and hunger in the land that is escalating the level of kidnapping and insecurity in Nigeria, particularly in Abuja, the federal capital.
Atiku who made the call via his X account said:
“The escalating violence and lawlessness in our nation deeply distresses me as bandits and kidnappers continue their reign of terror unchecked. Our youths and innocent citizens are being murdered daily. Just last Saturday, we lost Nabeeha to her captors. Yesterday, the tragedy deepened with the murder of more victims, including Folorunsho Ariyo, a 13-year-old student. Folorunsho was one of ten people kidnapped from Sagwari Estate Layout in Dutse, Bwari Area Council of the FCT, on January 7th, 2024.
“It is obvious that the worsening poverty and hunger in the land is escalating the level of kidnapping and insecurity in Nigeria, particularly in Abuja, the federal capital.
“When the government fails to fulfil its constitutional obligations of protecting the lives and property of citizens, it is an invitation to kidnappers and other criminal elements to have a free rein visiting houses and hotels in and around the capital city, kidnapping citizens without resistance. This is a sad development.
“It is imperative that the authorities address this dire security situation urgently to regain the trust of the Nigerian people.
“While I mourn with the deceased families, I pray to the Almighty to comfort them, grant the dead eternal peace and protect our nation. -AA”
Sundiata Post recalls that kidnappers reportedly dumped the remains of four victims they executed around a former military checkpoint behind Idah Junction on the Bwari-Jere SCC Road in Kagarko LGA of Kaduna State.
Among the corpses so far identified are a secondary school student, Folorunsho Ariyo, identified as the daughter of the Chief Legal Officer of the National Universities Commission (NUC); and a 500-level student of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar.
While Ariyo was abducted along with her mother and three siblings two Sundays ago, Nabeeha was seized with her father and five of her female siblings on January 9.
