Releasing Kebbi Schoolgirls Not a Victory – Atiku
By Sunday John, Abuja
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Federal Government over the release of the kidnapped schoolgirls in Kebbi State.
According to him, their release should not be seen as a victory, but rather a sign of the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria.
In a statement issued by his media office on Wednesday, Atiku said the return of the students was “not a moment for celebration,” but “a stark warning that terrorists are now operating freely, negotiating openly, laying down terms, while this government is issuing statements to protect itself.”
The statement came in response to comments made by the Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, in an interview with Arise News TV on Monday.
“Atiku asked, “Why is the government proud of negotiating with terrorists instead of eliminating them? Why has kidnapping become a phone call between terrorists and government officials?”
He added that the government’s statement shows that “terrorists and bandits have become like a separate government, negotiating, collecting ransom, and then leaving untouched – while the presidency is happy about such incidents.”
Atiku said: “No sensible country would congratulate itself for negotiating with terrorists it claims to be tracking.
He added that no honest government would congratulate itself for allowing kidnappers to return to the bush to kidnap others.”
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