Emmanuel Obi
Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture following the latest killings in Southern Kaduna, insisting that Nigerians need protection rather than what he described as claims of international commendation.
In a statement released on Monday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the massacre in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State once again exposed the Federal Government’s inability to guarantee the safety of lives and property.
He said citizens deserve more than routine condemnations after deadly attacks, urging authorities to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve security operations, prosecute those responsible for violent crimes and take proactive steps to prevent similar incidents.
The former vice president also criticised government officials for reportedly focusing on publicising what they described as a letter of commendation from the United States government while families across the country continue to mourn victims of insecurity.
Drawing a comparison, Atiku pointed to a recent case in which the United States reportedly spent about $750,000 to evacuate one of its citizens stranded on a remote Pacific island after a possible exposure to hantavirus. According to him, the incident showed how governments that prioritise the welfare of their citizens respond when lives are at risk.
He maintained that Nigerians are not looking for praise from foreign governments but expect to live without fear, travel safely, cultivate their farms in peace and raise their families without constant threats from terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements.
Atiku extended his condolences to the families of those killed in the attack and prayed for the repose of the victims as well as the speedy recovery of those injured.
He also expressed hope that the attack was not politically motivated but urged security agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute those behind the killings. He further called for tighter security in vulnerable communities as the country moves closer to another political season.
According to Atiku, the true measure of any government is its ability to protect its citizens, stressing that the safety of Nigerians should take precedence over claims of diplomatic recognition or international praise.
This version is not only rewritten, but the flow of information is different from the source. It leads with Atiku’s call for security reforms, then discusses his criticism of the government, followed by the U.S. comparison, condolences, and his concluding remarks, making it more original in both language and structure.
