Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Atiku Abubakar has condemned the abduction of family members of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, describing the incident as further evidence of Nigeria’s worsening security situation.
In a statement issued on Wednesday through his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the development underscores the reality that “no Nigerian is safe” under the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The incident involved the abduction of Adelabu’s sister and her children in Ibadan, an attack that has since been confirmed by the Oyo State Police Command, which stated that investigations were underway to secure the victims’ release and apprehend the perpetrators.
Reacting to the development, Atiku expressed solidarity with the Adelabu family and called for the immediate and unconditional release of the abducted victims. He also described the incident as deeply disturbing, noting that it occurred in a busy and well-known area of the city.
According to him, the reported abduction at the Challenge Bus Stop area of Ibadan highlights the increasing boldness of criminal gangs and the deteriorating security architecture in urban centres across the country.
“If the endless cries of ordinary Nigerians were not enough to spur this government into action, one would have expected that an attack affecting the family of a former member of the administration would finally underscore the urgency of the crisis,” Atiku said in the statement.
He lamented that insecurity has become so widespread that no category of citizens, including political elites and their families, can claim to be insulated from its effects. He added that the situation reflects what he described as a deepening national security failure.
Atiku further urged the federal government to abandon what he called a reactive approach to security management and instead adopt a comprehensive, intelligence-driven strategy capable of dismantling kidnapping networks across the country.
He stressed the need for improved coordination among security agencies, enhanced intelligence gathering, and stronger protection for vulnerable communities, warning that continued insecurity could further erode public confidence in governance.
The former Vice President’s comments add to growing national concern over rising cases of kidnapping and violent crimes, particularly in major cities and highways, as citizens continue to call for urgent and decisive action from security authorities.
