The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has raised concerns over what it described as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s repeated reluctance to directly condemn bandits and other criminal elements operating across Northern Nigeria.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, the group questioned whether Atiku’s criticism of the Federal Government’s handling of insecurity was motivated more by politics than a genuine desire to address the security challenges confronting the country.
The group cited Atiku’s reaction to the death of former military spokesman, Major General Rabe Abubakar (retd.), who died while in bandits’ captivity, arguing that the former vice president was quick to criticize President Bola Tinubu but failed to directly condemn the perpetrators of the crime.
According to TMSG, Atiku, as a prominent Northern leader and elder statesman, should be at the forefront of denouncing banditry and criminality, including calling out notorious bandit leaders allegedly responsible for attacks and abductions in the region.
“We would expect that as a father, leader and elder statesman from Northern Nigeria, which is currently bedevilled by insecurity, the former Vice President should take the lead in calling out banditry,” the statement said.
The group accused Atiku of seeking political advantage from the country’s security challenges, alleging that he had adopted a similar approach during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan while pursuing his presidential ambitions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
TMSG further claimed that Atiku had previously criticized former President Muhammadu Buhari during the height of bandit attacks and school abductions in the North-West, presenting himself as the solution to the security crisis at the time.
While acknowledging that banditry predates the Tinubu administration, the group argued that the current government has continued efforts to tackle the problem and warned against what it described as attempts to undermine the military’s operations through political criticism.
The statement also cited the recent rescue of the late General Abubakar’s wife during a military offensive against criminal groups, describing it as evidence of ongoing efforts by security forces.
TMSG expressed confidence that ongoing military operations, supported by the Federal Government, would yield positive results in the fight against insecurity. It urged Nigerians to support the armed forces and remain patient as authorities intensify efforts to combat banditry, kidnapping and other security threats across the country.
The group urged citizens to rally behind President Tinubu’s administration and the military in the collective effort to restore peace and security nationwide.
