By Wolimoh Abdulmateen
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the Federal Government for presenting the release of schoolgirls in Kebbi State as an achievement. He said their freedom highlights the country’s growing insecurity instead of being a success story.
In a statement on Wednesday, Atiku said the return of the girls was a serious warning that armed groups now operate openly and make demands, while the government issues public statements for appearances.
The comments followed remarks by the Presidential Special Adviser on Information, Bayo Onanuga, who said the Department of State Services and the military had tracked the kidnappers and negotiated the girls’ release without paying ransom. Onanuga added that security forces must act carefully to avoid harming civilians.
Atiku questioned why the government celebrated talking to kidnappers instead of stopping them. He said allowing such crimes to be handled through calls shows that kidnappers are acting with impunity.
He argued that these groups have effectively become alternative authorities, controlling areas, taking ransoms, and continuing attacks while the government praises their compliance.
“No responsible country praises itself for negotiating with criminals who kidnap its citizens,” Atiku said.
The abduction took place on November 17 at Government Girls’ Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, where attackers killed one staff member and kidnapped 25 students. One student escaped, leaving 24 in captivity until they were freed on Tuesday.