Senator Adamu’s death highlights Nigeria’s challenges and underscores Tinubu’s shortcomings, says Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu for the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria, citing the death of former House of Representatives member Abba Adamu while in the hands of kidnappers.

Adamu, who served the Guri, Kiri‑Kasamma and Birniwa Federal Constituency from 2007 to 2011, was abducted on 3 May along the Kaduna‑Abuja highway as he travelled from Kano to Abuja for a political meeting. According to reports, he died nine days later while still held by his captors, despite attempts by his family to secure his release.

In a statement released in Abuja by his aide Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the incident illustrates how insecurity has continued to worsen across Nigeria under the current administration.

He said, “Adamu’s death is yet another grim reminder of the worsening collapse of security under the Tinubu administration.”

Atiku added, “Let us be brutally honest: Nigeria is under siege, and this administration appears either overwhelmed, indifferent, or dangerously incompetent in the face of this national emergency.”

He questioned how a former lawmaker could be kidnapped on a major highway and still die in captivity, asking what chance ordinary Nigerians have when trapped in such a situation.

“When a former member of the National Assembly can be abducted on one of the country’s most strategic highways and die in captivity, what hope remains for the ordinary Nigerian who lacks visibility, influence, or protection?” he asked.

The former vice president said kidnappings and attacks have become commonplace across the country, with people no longer feeling safe on roads, in their homes or even on their farms.

“This is no longer about isolated incidents. It is now a horrifying pattern,” he stated.

Atiku also criticised the persistent insecurity along the Abuja‑Kaduna road despite repeated promises from security agencies and substantial spending on security.

“A government that cannot secure its highways cannot claim to govern. A government that watches citizens get hunted like prey has failed the most elementary test of leadership,” he said.

He questioned the federal government’s security strategy and called for accountability.

Atiku said Nigerians are tired of condolence messages and want concrete action from the government to address insecurity.