Atiku to Tinubu: “How Many Lives Must Be Shattered Before Decisive Action Is Taken?” — Ex-VP Demands State of Emergency on National Security

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has issued one of his strongest statements yet on Nigeria’s escalating security crisis, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately declare a national state of emergency. Atiku’s appeal, released on Friday via his official Facebook page, follows another devastating attack in Niger State in which terrorists abducted more than 50 students and staff from St. Mary Secondary School, Papiri, located in Agwara Local Government Area.

The latest abduction, reminiscent of prior mass kidnappings that have plagued northern Nigeria for over a decade, triggered nationwide outrage and renewed fears that criminal groups are expanding their reach despite ongoing military operations. According to earlier reports from DAILY POST, heavily armed terrorists stormed the school premises, overwhelmed local security personnel, and herded scores of students and staff into the surrounding forests. The exact number of abductees is still being verified by state authorities, though eyewitnesses insist the figure exceeds 50.

Reacting to the attack, Atiku described the incident as “heartbreaking,” lamenting that such tragedies have become disturbingly frequent. He questioned why the Federal Government has yet to take what he termed “decisive and extraordinary measures” to reverse the alarming deterioration of safety across the country.

“Not again. This is truly heartbreaking,” Atiku wrote. “How many more lives must be shattered before decisive action is taken?”

The former Vice President argued that Nigeria has reached a breaking point where ordinary security measures are no longer sufficient. According to him, only a formal declaration of a state of emergency on insecurity will demonstrate the seriousness required to confront what has become a national catastrophe.

“It is not too late for the government to finally declare a state of emergency on insecurity and confront this menace with the urgency it deserves,” he added.

Atiku, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has in recent months repeatedly criticized the Tinubu administration’s handling of security matters. He maintains that the rising wave of kidnappings, bandit attacks, and insurgent operations across several states reflects systemic weaknesses that require extraordinary government intervention.

Security analysts note that mass school abductions have become a grim symbol of Nigeria’s ongoing instability. Since the 2014 Chibok school kidnapping, dozens of similar attacks have occurred, often targeting vulnerable rural communities and poorly guarded institutions. Niger State, in particular, has been heavily hit by terrorist factions and bandit groups who exploit its vast forests, porous borders, and limited policing resources.

Critics argue that the government’s strategies—ranging from military offensives to negotiations—have not produced sustained results. The continued targeting of schools, they warn, threatens not only the lives of students but also the country’s long-term educational stability and economic future.

While the Tinubu administration has made several public commitments to reform security operations, many citizens and political leaders believe the government’s actions have not matched the scale of the crisis. Atiku’s call adds to mounting pressure on the presidency to adopt bolder strategies and to deploy more robust resources to high-risk regions.

As of the time of this report, the Federal Government has not issued an official response to Atiku’s statement or provided detailed updates on rescue efforts for the abducted students. Families in Papiri and surrounding communities continue to wait anxiously for news, as local vigilantes and security agencies intensify search operations in the area.

Atiku’s remarks—urgent, critical, and emotionally charged—reflect a growing national impatience. With Nigerians increasingly fearful for their safety, the central question remains: Will the Federal Government escalate its response, or will the cycle of devastation continue?