The Presidency has fired back at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his claim that the killing of 5,091 Nigerians within three months was enough evidence of President Bola Tinubu’s failure to protect lives and property.
Atiku had described the figure as a damning indictment of the Tinubu administration, arguing that the rising death toll showed the government had failed in its most basic constitutional responsibility.
But the Presidency rejected the claim, accusing the former vice president of deliberately ignoring the gains recorded by security agencies in their fight against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, said the government’s security forces had killed thousands of terrorists and rescued thousands of Nigerians during the same period Atiku referenced.
Ajayi, who spoke in response to a statement by Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, accused the former vice president of engaging in “politics of despair” by focusing only on negative statistics.
He said, “In the last three months, the security agencies have, according to official figures, killed between 13,000 and 20,000 terrorists. They have rescued at least 10,000 Nigerians across the DSS, the police and the military.”
The presidential aide questioned why Atiku had not acknowledged the rescue operations carried out by security agencies across the country.
“Every day, the military, the police and the DSS are rescuing people. Why is Atiku not commending them for that? Are those people who were rescued not important?” he asked.
Ajayi accused Atiku of deliberately overlooking the government’s security achievements because they did not align with his political interests.
“He cannot focus on that because it doesn’t serve his politics of despair. All he wants to focus on is despondency to sell fear to Nigerians,” he said.
He cited the recent rescue of 308 Nigerians abducted in Niger State and neighbouring areas as one of the successes recorded by security agencies.
According to him, reports from the military, police and DSS showed that thousands of victims, including women, children and men, had been rescued from kidnappers, bandits and insurgents across different states.
Ajayi also said the armed forces had continued offensive operations against terrorist groups, adding that troops were eliminating fighters, arresting suspects and disrupting the networks that support criminal groups.
He further criticised Atiku, who is seeking the presidency in 2027 on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, saying his comments were unbecoming of a former vice president.
“Atiku has forgotten that he is supposed to be a statesman. He should seek the good of the country, not sell hopelessness every day, hoping it will help him win election next year,” Ajayi said.
The presidential aide predicted that Tinubu would secure victory in the 2027 election, claiming the administration was making progress in tackling insecurity and stabilising the country.
Earlier, Atiku had argued that the reported 5,091 deaths recorded between violent incidents in three months represented a failure of leadership.
In a statement signed by Shaibu, the former vice president said every number represented a Nigerian life lost, a grieving family and communities living in fear.
“Behind every number is a Nigerian whose life was cut short, a family thrown into mourning, children deprived of parents and communities condemned to fear,” Atiku said.
He blamed the security situation on what he described as poor management of public resources, arguing that security agencies needed adequate funding, equipment and welfare support to effectively combat insecurity.
Atiku also criticised government spending priorities, alleging that wasteful expenditure and poor implementation of security budgets had weakened the country’s ability to fight terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
While welcoming the recent salary increase for military personnel, he said improved pay alone would not address the challenges facing troops on the frontline.
“Our soldiers deserve better pay, but morale is about much more than salaries. They require adequate equipment, operational funding, timely allowances and proper welfare for their families,” he said.
The former vice president maintained that the 5,091 deaths were enough reason for Nigerians to demand a change of leadership ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Today, we have 5,091 reported killings in just three months, 5,091 shattered families, 5,091 indictments of this administration’s security failures, and ultimately, 5,091 reasons this government must go,” Atiku said.
Don’t Miss Out! Join our WhatsApp Channel for instant news updates. Click here to join
OLUWO UNDER FIRE OVER TINUBU-ONLY CAMPAIGN ORDER IN OSUN
AFTER BOY WAS SHOT AT APC RALLY: Police Detain Osun Commissioner, Adeleke’s Camp Cries Foul
