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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has identified worsening poverty and hunger as contributing factors to the escalating kidnappings and insecurity in Nigeria. This observation comes in the wake of a disturbing incident on January 5, where gunmen abducted six young girls in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, sparking public outrage.
Tragically, the situation took a darker turn when the abductors killed Nabeeha, one of the six sisters, as a purported warning to the family for failing to pay a ransom of N60 million. Atiku took to his social media platform to express his distress over the increasing violence in the country, stating, “It is obvious that the worsening poverty and hunger in the land is escalating the level of kidnapping and insecurity in Nigeria, particularly in Abuja, the federal capital.”
The former Vice President emphasizes the role of the government in fulfilling its constitutional obligations, particularly in protecting the lives and property of citizens. He argues that when the government falls short in this regard, it serves as an open invitation to kidnappers and criminals to act with impunity, posing a serious threat to citizens in the capital and beyond.
Atiku raises concerns about the unchecked reign of terror by kidnappers and criminal elements, highlighting the urgent need for authorities to address the dire security situation. He contends that swift action is essential not only to ensure the safety of citizens but also to rebuild the trust of Nigerians in the government’s ability to protect them. The former Vice President’s comments underscore the critical link between socioeconomic factors and the security challenges facing the nation.
