Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has faulted the Federal Government’s handling of the release of 24 abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi State, insisting that their freedom should not be celebrated as an accomplishment but viewed as further proof of Nigeria’s deepening security crisis.
In a statement issued by his media office on Wednesday, Atiku said the government’s reaction amounted to “a shameful attempt to whitewash a national tragedy and dress up incompetence as heroism.”
His criticism followed comments made by Presidential Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, during an interview on Arise News on Monday. Onanuga had praised the efforts of the Department of State Services and the military, claiming they tracked the kidnappers in real time and established contact with them, which eventually facilitated the girls’ release without ransom.
According to the presidential aide, security agencies already know the identities and locations of the bandits operating in the region but must act cautiously to avoid civilian casualties.
“The security people, they know all the bandits that are operating in that axis. They know them. They know where they operate… They need to be very careful that in the course of chasing these bandits, they don’t bomb innocent Nigerians,” Onanuga said.
But Atiku dismissed the explanation, describing it as an admission that terrorists now operate freely, negotiate openly with the state, and dictate the terms of engagement.
“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?” he queried.
“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?”
The former vice president argued that the Federal Government’s posture sends the message that “terrorists and 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,” he added.
The girls were abducted on November 17 when armed attackers invaded the Government Girls’ Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State. One staff member was killed, and 25 students were taken from their dormitory. One student escaped shortly after, leaving 24 in captivity. They were released on Tuesday.
President Bola Tinubu, through Onanuga, welcomed the development, expressing relief that “all the 24 girls have been accounted for” and praising security agencies for their role. The president also directed more boots on the ground and urged intensified efforts to locate and rescue other abductees across the country.
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Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, confirmed no ransom was paid, attributing the girls’ freedom to coordinated operations by security personnel.
Atiku, however, maintains that such outcomes should not be treated as evidence of progress.
“The return of the schoolgirls is not a trophy moment,” he said. “It is a damning reminder that terrorists continue to hold Nigeria hostage while the government issues statements to save face.”
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