The Presidency has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his recent assessment of Nigeria’s security situation, accusing him of creating fear among Nigerians by focusing on the country’s worsening insecurity without acknowledging the reported gains made by security agencies.
Atiku had raised concerns over the reported deaths of 5,091 Nigerians in violent incidents within a three-month period, questioning the effectiveness of the security measures implemented under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
His comments have drawn a strong response from the Presidency, with Presidential spokesperson Temitope Ajayi defending the government’s record in the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats across the country.
According to Ajayi, Atiku’s assessment failed to take into account what he described as significant achievements recorded by the military, police and the Department of State Services (DSS) during the period under review.
The presidential aide claimed that security agencies had eliminated between 13,000 and 20,000 terrorists and rescued at least 10,000 Nigerians from captivity within the same period.
Ajayi also highlighted the recent rescue of 308 Nigerians in the North-Central region, describing the operation as evidence of the continued efforts by security agencies to disrupt criminal networks and protect vulnerable communities.
He accused the former vice-president of engaging in what he called a “politics of despair,” arguing that public discussions about national security should also recognise the progress being recorded by Nigeria’s security forces.
The Presidency, however, acknowledged that insecurity remains a serious challenge requiring sustained attention and coordinated action. It maintained that the government’s security performance should be assessed by considering both the challenges confronting the country and the operations being carried out to tackle them.
The exchange between Atiku and the Presidency comes amid continuing public concern over terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes in several parts of Nigeria.
While Atiku has continued to raise questions about the government’s handling of insecurity, the Presidency insists that significant efforts are being made by security agencies and that their reported successes should form part of any assessment of the Tinubu administration’s performance.
The debate is expected to remain a major issue in Nigeria’s political discourse as concerns over national security continue to dominate public discussions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
