Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the abduction of family members of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, describing the incident as a troubling indication of Nigeria’s worsening security situation.
Reacting to reports that Adelabu’s sister and twin nephews were kidnapped in Ibadan, Oyo State, Atiku expressed sympathy with the family and called for urgent measures to tackle the growing insecurity across the country.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, June 3, by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku noted that the incident occurred in broad daylight at Challenge Bus Stop, one of the busiest locations in Ibadan. He said the ability of kidnappers to operate unhindered in such a prominent public area underscores the deteriorating state of security nationwide.
According to the former vice president, the attack should serve as a wake-up call for government officials, stressing that insecurity has increasingly affected Nigerians regardless of their status or political affiliation.
“If government officials have become desensitized to the suffering of ordinary citizens, should they not at least be alarmed when insecurity reaches the doorstep of one of their own?” he asked.
Atiku lamented the rising cases of kidnapping and violent crime across the country, noting that many families continue to endure trauma as criminal elements operate with increasing audacity.
“Schoolchildren are abducted from classrooms, farmers are forced off their lands, travelers are kidnapped on highways, and entire communities live under the shadow of fear. Yet, the government’s response has too often been marked by excuses, propaganda, and palliatives rather than decisive action,” he said.
He emphasized that criminals do not discriminate, warning that the same insecurity affecting ordinary Nigerians is now impacting individuals in positions of influence.
“The insecurity that has turned the lives of ordinary Nigerians into a daily nightmare is now knocking on doors many in government may have assumed were beyond its reach,” Atiku stated.
The former vice president said the incident highlights the urgent need for a more effective and proactive security strategy, stressing that the protection of lives and property remains the primary responsibility of government.
He expressed concern that many Nigerians now live in constant fear of abduction and ransom demands, describing the situation as unacceptable.
Atiku urged the administration of President Bola Tinubu to adopt a comprehensive, intelligence-driven approach aimed at dismantling kidnapping networks, securing vulnerable communities, and restoring public confidence in the nation’s security architecture.
He also called for the immediate rescue of the victims and the swift arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the abduction.
Atiku concluded by offering his prayers and support to the Adelabu family and all Nigerians affected by insecurity across the country.
