Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately declare a state of emergency on insecurity following the latest abduction of schoolchildren in Niger State — a disturbing reminder that Nigeria’s security crisis is reaching breaking point.
Atiku condemned the attack, warning that the government’s current counter-terrorism and security strategies are clearly failing to protect citizens. He stressed that children, the most vulnerable members of society, continue to pay the highest price as their schools, education, and futures are repeatedly disrupted by kidnappers and terrorists.
With banditry, mass abductions, and rural attacks surging across the country, the former Vice President insists that Nigeria can no longer rely on reactive measures. According to him, the federal government must urgently re-evaluate the nation’s security architecture, strengthen intelligence gathering, and deploy modern technology to curb the escalating violence.
Security analysts also warn that the persistence of school abductions is eroding public confidence in state institutions, raising questions about the government’s capacity to safeguard lives and property. Many Nigerians, especially on social media, are expressing anger, fatigue, and fear — trends currently dominating national conversations.
Atiku emphasized that decisive leadership is no longer optional but an absolute necessity. Declaring a state of emergency, he said, would signal political will, mobilize coordinated security action, and ensure that all relevant agencies operate with a renewed sense of urgency.
As Nigeria grapples with rising insecurity across the North-West, North-Central, and parts of the South, the call for stronger, immediate intervention is growing louder. Citizens, activists, and education advocates are demanding that the government prioritize the safety of schools and guarantee that children can learn without fear.
If the federal government fails to act swiftly, analysts warn that the cycle of abductions, displacement, and trauma will continue to undermine national stability and development.