Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has faulted the Federal Government’s handling of the release of abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi State, arguing that the development should not be celebrated as an achievement but seen as further proof of Nigeria’s deepening security crisis.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his media office, Atiku criticised the government for presenting the girls’ return as a victory. He described the situation as “a damning reminder that terrorists now operate freely, negotiate openly, and dictate terms while the government issues statements to save face.”
His remarks followed comments made earlier by Presidential Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, during an interview with Arise News. Onanuga had praised the Department of State Services and the military, stating that their intelligence efforts made it possible to track the kidnappers and maintain communication with them, ultimately leading to the girls’ release without payment of ransom.
He explained that security agencies must act with caution to avoid harming civilians living around areas controlled by the bandits. “The security people know the bandits operating in that axis. They know their locations. But they must be careful not to cause collateral damage to innocent Nigerians,” he said.
Atiku, however, dismissed the government’s position as an attempt to “whitewash a national tragedy.”
He questioned why, if security agencies truly had real-time access to the kidnappers’ movements and could contact them, they failed to apprehend or neutralise the criminals.
“Why is the government boasting about speaking with terrorists instead of eliminating them? Why has kidnapping become a routine phone negotiation between criminals and state officials?” he asked.
The former vice president argued that the official explanation suggests that bandits now operate like an “alternative government,” negotiating freely, collecting ransom, and returning to their hideouts without consequence.
“No serious nation congratulates itself for negotiating with terrorists it claims to have under surveillance,” he added.
The incident occurred on November 17 when gunmen attacked Government Girls’ Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State. One staff member was killed, and 25 students were abducted. One girl later escaped, while 24 remained in captivity until their release on Tuesday.
President Bola Tinubu, through a statement by Onanuga, expressed relief that all the girls were accounted for and commended security agencies for the operation. He also directed increased deployment of personnel to troubled regions and urged intensified efforts to rescue other abductees nationwide.
Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, confirmed that no ransom was paid, attributing the girls’ release to coordinated intervention by security operatives.
