Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the narrative from presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, regarding the release of some citizens previously abducted by bandits.
Bellnews recalls that the 24 schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, were rescued on Tuesday.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu lauded the combined efforts of security agencies, which resulted in the successful rescue.
Earlier on Monday, while speaking on Arise Television, Onanuga revealed that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the military established direct communication with the bandits who abducted 38 worshippers from the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, Eruku, in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State before the victims were released.
He said security agencies reached out to the attackers shortly after the incident and demanded the immediate release of the abducted victims.
According to the presidential spokesperson, the bandits released the abductees because they were aware of “the consequences of not listening to government demands.”
Reacting to the saga in a statement on Wednesday by his media office, Atiku said the statement by Onanuga is shameful.
He questioned why the government could not arrest or eliminate the terrorists since it claimed it had contacted the criminals.
The former Vice President added that it is an issue of concern for the government to be negotiating with terrorists, as it suggests that the criminals now operate freely, negotiate openly, and dictate terms while the Tinubu administration lets them walk away freely.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain maintained that it is irresponsible and condemnable propaganda on the part of the government to openly congratulate itself on negotiating with terrorists and allowing them to return to the forest without any consequence.
Atiku concluded by demanding more action from the government in protecting Nigerians rather than embarking on actions tantamount to national disgrace by negotiating with terrorists.
In a statement titled, “Atiku to Tinubu: Nigerians Need Protection, Not Fairy Tales By Moonlight”, the former Vice President said, “The Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga’s comments on Arise News TV yesterday on the freedom of the Kebbi school girls is to say the least a shameful attempt to whitewash a national tragedy and dress up government incompetence as heroism.
“Truth be told, the release of abducted Nigerians is not a trophy moment; it is a damning reminder that terrorists now operate freely, negotiate openly, and dictate terms while this administration issues press statements to save face.
“If, as Onanuga claims, the DSS and the military could “track” the kidnappers in real time and “made contact” with them, then the question is simple: Why were these criminals not arrested, neutralised, or dismantled on the spot? Why is the government boasting about talking to terrorists instead of eliminating them?
Why is kidnapping now reduced to a routine phone call between criminals and state officials?
“This irresponsible and reckless narrative exposes the truth:
“Under Tinubu, terrorrist/bandits have become an alternative government — negotiating, collecting ransom, and walking away untouched — while the presidency celebrates their “compliance.”
“No serious nation applauds itself for negotiating with terrorists it claims to have under surveillance. No responsible government congratulates itself for allowing abductors to walk back into the forests to kidnap again.
“Onanuga and his ilk should stop insulting Nigerians with propaganda. If the security agencies truly had eyes on the kidnappers, then letting them escape is a national disgrace that smacks of complicity.
“And if they did not have such capacity, then Onanuga is simply manufacturing lies to cover up a monumental failure of leadership.
“Either way, the statement is an embarrassing admission that this administration has lost control of national security and is now trying to spin incompetence into achievement.
“Nigerians deserve protection, not fairy tales by moonlight!”