Southern Kaduna: Tinubu Has Failed In Government’s Primary Duty To Protect Lives- Atiku

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Former Vice President of Nigeria and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has condemned in the strongest terms the gruesome massacre of innocent men, women and children in Southern Kaduna, describing the latest killings as further evidence of the Tinubu administration’s failure to fulfil the most fundamental responsibility of government—the protection of lives and property.

“The reported killing of scores of innocent Nigerians in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State is heartbreaking and unacceptable.

“Every life lost is a painful indictment of a government that has repeatedly promised improved security but continues to preside over a widening cycle of bloodshed. No nation can claim meaningful progress when its citizens are hunted down in their homes and communities by criminals operating with such alarming impunity,” Atiku said.

The former Vice President, in a statement on Monday in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, expressed concern that while Nigerians are mourning another tragic loss of life, senior officials of the administration have remained preoccupied with defending and publicising what they describe as an unverified letter of commendation from the United States Government.

He noted the irony that the same United States, whose alleged commendation has become the focus of the administration’s public relations efforts, reportedly committed approximately $750,000 to evacuate a single American citizen stranded on a remote Pacific island following a possible exposure to hantavirus.

According to him, the episode illustrates the difference between governments that place the highest value on every citizen’s life and those that appear more concerned with projecting a positive international image than ensuring the safety of their own people.

The people of Southern Kaduna—and indeed all Nigerians—do not need letters of praise from foreign capitals. They need security. They need to sleep without fear, travel without anxiety, cultivate their farms in peace and raise their children without the constant threat of terrorists, bandits and other violent criminals,” he said.

Atiku stressed that governance cannot be reduced to a public relations exercise or measured by diplomatic commendations, but by a government’s ability to protect its citizens from harm. He argued that until the constitutional obligation to guarantee security is fulfilled, any celebration of external praise will remain meaningless to Nigerians living under constant fear.

He said the latest massacre underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s security architecture, insisting that Nigerians deserve more than routine condemnations after every attack.

According to him, the country urgently requires intelligence-driven security operations, swift prosecution of perpetrators and proactive measures capable of preventing recurring attacks.

The former Vice President extended his condolences to the bereaved families and the people of Southern Kaduna, praying for the repose of the souls of those killed and the speedy recovery of those injured.

He also expressed hope that the massacre was not politically motivated, but warned that as the country approaches another political season, security agencies must not only identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible, but also strengthen security around vulnerable communities that could become targets of similar attacks.

“The protection of innocent lives must never be sacrificed on the altar of politics,” he said.

Atiku said history will not judge any administration by the number of commendations it claims to have received from abroad, but by whether it protected its citizens when they needed protection the most.