Atiku slams FG over Kaduna killings
July 27, 2026 12:35 pm
File: Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar.
Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, on Monday launched a scathing attack on the government of President Bola Tinubu over the latest killings in Southern Kaduna, declaring that the massacre of innocent residents in Kauru Local Government Area is a damning verdict on the government’s handling of insecurity.
Reacting to reports in a statement on Monday that scores of people were killed in fresh attacks on communities in Southern Kaduna, Atiku described the incident as a painful reminder that the federal government has failed in its constitutional duty to protect the lives and property of Nigerians.
Atiku said no administration could lay claim to progress while citizens continued to be slaughtered in their homes and communities by armed criminals operating without fear of consequences.
“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 security but continues to preside over an expanding landscape of bloodshed,” he said.
He accused the Tinubu-led government of focusing more on promoting what he described as an unverified claim of receiving a letter of commendation from the United States government than confronting Nigeria’s worsening security crisis.
According to him, the priority of any responsible government should be the protection of its citizens rather than seeking international recognition while communities across the country remain under siege.
“It is deeply troubling that while Nigerians mourn yet another massacre, senior officials of this administration have been busy criss-crossing television studios and social media platforms brandishing what they describe as an unverified claim of a letter of commendation from the United States Government,” he stated.
Drawing a comparison with the United States, Atiku argued that governments that truly value human life spare no effort in protecting their citizens.
“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 added.
The Wazirin Adamawa maintained that governance should be assessed by the safety of citizens rather than public relations campaigns or diplomatic endorsements.
“Governance is not a public relations exercise. It is measured by the safety of the people and by a government’s ability to protect its citizens from harm. Until that constitutional obligation is fulfilled, every celebration of external praise rings hollow,” he said.
Calling for urgent reforms, Atiku urged the Federal Government to undertake a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture, stressing that routine condemnations after every attack were no longer sufficient.
He advocated intelligence-driven security operations, swift prosecution of perpetrators and proactive measures capable of preventing recurring attacks on vulnerable communities.
While expressing condolences to families of the victims and the people of Southern Kaduna, Atiku also urged security agencies to remain vigilant as political activities ahead of the 2027 general election gather momentum.
“It is my sincere hope that this horrific massacre was not politically motivated. However, as the nation gradually approaches another political season, the security agencies must not only identify, apprehend and prosecute those responsible for this heinous crime, but must also take anticipatory and pre-emptive measures to strengthen security around vulnerable communities that could become targets of similar attacks,” he added.
In one of the strongest lines of his statement, Atiku warned that history would ultimately judge governments not by diplomatic commendations but by their ability to protect human lives.
“History will not remember how many letters of commendation a government claimed to have received. It will remember whether it protected its people when they needed protection the most. Today, the blood of innocent Nigerians speaks far louder than any unverified claim of international praise,” he stressed.
Dirisu Yakubu is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of experience covering parliament, politics, and development issues. He specializes in reporting that provides context and insight into legislative and governance matters. Dirisu’s work reflects extensive newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate and impactful journalism.
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