Atiku Criticises Tinubu for Not Addressing Nation After Oyo Schoolchildren Rescue
Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has urged President Bola Tinubu to address Nigerians following the rescue of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo, saying the president's silence amid ongoing abductions sends the wrong signal.
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Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has urged President Bola Tinubu to address the nation following the rescue of kidnapped schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, saying such a gesture would have reaffirmed public confidence in the government’s commitment to national security.
Speaking in reaction to the successful military operation, Atiku commended Nigerian troops for their role in securing the release of the hostages. However, he criticised President Tinubu for what he described as a lack of visible leadership in the aftermath of the incident. “The president should have addressed Nigerians to acknowledge the ordeal of the children, their parents, and the nation,” Atiku said, according to Legit.ng.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC)’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election, emphasized that the country continues to face recurring incidents of mass abductions, and that presidential silence risks normalizing such security breaches. He warned that political distractions at the national level could undermine public trust in governance. “While we commend the bravery of our troops, the absence of a presidential statement diminishes the gravity of the situation,” he said, as reported by Naija News.
The rescue in Oyo State was carried out by Nigerian security forces, though details on the operation, including the number of children rescued and the duration of captivity, were not provided in the source material. Atiku’s remarks underline growing public scrutiny over the government’s response to insecurity, particularly in educational institutions.