Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the abduction of family members of former Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, describing the incident as further evidence of Nigeria's worsening security challenges.
Reacting to reports that Adelabu’s sister and her twin sons were kidnapped in Ibadan, Oyo State, Atiku expressed sympathy with the family and urged authorities to take decisive steps to address the growing wave of insecurity across the country.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the incident was particularly troubling because it reportedly occurred in broad daylight at Challenge Bus Stop, one of the busiest areas in Ibadan.
According to the former vice president, the ability of kidnappers to operate in such a prominent public location underscores the need for a more effective security response.
He noted that the incident should serve as a reminder that insecurity affects Nigerians regardless of their social 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?” Atiku said.
The former vice president expressed concern over the increasing incidents of kidnapping and violent crime nationwide, stating that many families continue to live under the threat of criminal attacks.
“Schoolchildren are abducted from classrooms, farmers are driven from their lands, travelers are kidnapped on highways, and entire communities are held hostage by fear. Yet, despite these grim realities, the government’s response has too often been characterized by excuses, propaganda, and palliatives rather than decisive action,” he said.
Atiku stressed that criminal elements do not discriminate based on political affiliation or social standing, adding that the growing insecurity has become a challenge confronting all Nigerians.
He called on the administration of President Bola Tinubu to adopt a comprehensive and intelligence-driven security strategy aimed at dismantling kidnapping networks, protecting vulnerable communities, and restoring public confidence in the nation's security architecture.
The former vice president also urged security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the immediate release of the victims and ensure that those responsible for the abduction are apprehended and prosecuted.
He concluded by offering prayers and support to the Adelabu family and other Nigerians affected by insecurity across the country.
This version adopts a more neutral, professional news tone while preserving the substance of Atiku's remarks.
