Our reporter/ The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general election, Atiku Abubakar has blamed the escalating kidnappings and insecurity in the country on what he described as worsening poverty and hunger in the land.
On January 5, gunmen abducted six young girls in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, a situation that has generated public outcry.
The abductors, last Sunday killed Nabeeha, one of the six sisters, purportedly as a warning to the family for failing to pay the ransom of N60 million.
Since then, esterday, more victims of kidnappers have been killed, including Folorunsho Ariyo, a 13-year-old student. Folorunsho was one of ten people kidnapped from Sagwari Estate Layout in Dutse, Bwari Area Council of the FCT, on January 7th, 2024.
Reacting on his X handle on Monday, Atiku said the spate of violence in the country distresses him.
“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,” he stated.
“When the government fails to fulfil its constitutional obligations of protecting the lives and property of citizens, it is an invitation to kidnappers and other criminal elements to have a free rein visiting houses and hotels in and around the capital city, kidnapping citizens without resistance. This is a sad development.”
The former vice president lamented that kidnappers continue their reign of terror unchecked, calling on the authorities to address the dire security situation urgently to regain the trust of Nigerians.
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