Come Clean On ‘Dealings’ With Bandits, African Democratic Congress, Atiku Tell Federal Govt

African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, have asked the federal government to open up on how the kidnapped Nigerians were released from bandits’ den.

In separate statements, the coalition party and Atiku raised concerns about the opaque and troubling manner in which the hostages’ releases were secured.

They were reacting to releases of persons kidnapped across the country, including the worshippers abducted from Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke-Isegun, Eruku, Kwara State, and the schoolchildren taken from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State.

Speaking with newsmen in Abuja, the ADC national publicity secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the party is delighted that these citizens can finally reunite with their families.

On his part, former vice president Atiku Abubakar has taken a swipe at the President Bola Tinubu-led administration over the circumstances leading to the release of kidnapped persons, saying no serious nation applauds itself for negotiating with terrorists it claims to have under surveillance.

At the press conference, Abdullahi, said the abductions should never have occurred if the government were alive to its constitutional responsibilities, adding that the country is witnessing the consequence of an administration distracted by politics.

He noted that it took a chastening comment from President Donald Trump to provoke the slightest response from the government.

He said “Yet, even as we welcome the safe return of the victims, we remain deeply concerned about the opaque and troubling manner in which their release was secured.

“The conflicting accounts coming from different government officials make it clear that the Federal Government is not being honest with Nigerians about the circumstances surrounding the release of the abducted victims. We strongly believe that this administration is negotiating deals with insurgents. It is especially alarming to hear the Inspector General of Police state that the perpetrators of the Kwara church attack were not arrested because they “came out voluntarily for the peace talk.”

He said it was equally troubling that the Presidential Spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, suggested that the abductees were released simply because the government and security operatives“asked them nicely.”

“This raises serious questions: Is the Nigerian government paying ransom to insurgents? What exactly was exchanged for the so-called “surrender of weapons” by the kidnappers? And if these bandits truly surrendered weapons, what prevents them from simply acquiring new ones and continuing their criminal enterprise, if they are not going to be arrested and brought to face justice? What happened to the people they shot and killed in cold blood? Where is justice for the families of those victims if their murderers are allowed to go scot-free because government needs a quick-win to celebrate?”

He said the ADC is deeply concerned that if negotiation with bandits has become the government’s strategy for tackling insurgency and the surge in kidnappings, then Nigeria is on a dangerous and misguided path.

“It is the approach of an administration searching for shortcuts instead of confronting the problem decisively. By appeasing insurgents in this manner, the government is, in effect, expanding the banditry economy,” he said.

He also reacted to the closure of schools by state governments over the escalating kidnapping incident.

He added that while the government may consider this the safest short-term option, it sends a dangerous message to the terrorists.

“A government that quietly negotiates with insurgents and then shuts down schools to avoid further kidnappings has, in effect, conceded ground to terror. By closing schools, the Tinubu administration is reinforcing the very ideology Boko Haram was built upon, and signalling weakness where strength is required” he said.

The party spokesman further alleged that the government, at this moment, appears not to know the exact number of schoolchildren kidnapped in the past week.

He added that it is a damning indictment of an administration that claims to take the security of its citizens seriously.

The opposition party further said it is troubling that the government has quietly abandoned the Safe Schools Initiative and the Safe Schools Programme, both of which were designed to strengthen security around learning environments and prevent the recent mass abductions.

He said, “These programmes were not perfect, but they represented a commitment to protect children where they learn and grow. Today, that commitment has been discarded.

“The government must now choose leadership over fear. If schools have been shut because they are unsafe, then the logical response is not retreat, but reinforcement. We call on the Federal Government to immediately deploy the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to all Federal Unity Schools, so that children can safely return to the classroom without further delay. Protecting our schools is not optional, it is a constitutional responsibility.

“The more we capitulate, the more ground we lose as a nation. Every day that schools remain closed, terrorists grow bolder, communities grow more fearful, and Nigeria drifts further from the promise of security and stability. A country that cannot protect its children cannot protect its future.

“The ADC urges the government to act decisively, transparently, and responsibly. Reopen the schools. Secure the schools.

“Bring our children home. And show Nigerians — and the world — that this nation will not bow to terror.

On his part, former vice president, Atiku, said the release of abducted Nigerians is not a trophy moment, adding that it is a damning reminder that terrorists now operate freely, negotiate openly, and dictate terms while this administration issues press statements to save face.

The former vice president who raised some posers over the release of the kidnapped persons said if, as Onanuga claims, the DSS and the military could “track” the kidnappers in real time and “made contact” with them, why were the criminals not arrested, neutralised, or dismantled on the spot? Why is the government boasting about talking to terrorists instead of eliminating them?

He continued, “Why is kidnapping now reduced to a routine phone call between criminals and state officials?”

He added that the “irresponsible and reckless narrative exposes the truth” that “under Tinubu, terrorists/bandits have become an alternative government — negotiating, collecting ransom, and walking away untouched — while the presidency celebrates their “compliance.”

“No serious nation applauds itself for negotiating with terrorists it claims to have under surveillance. No responsible government congratulates itself for allowing abductors to walk back into the forests to kidnap again.

“Onanuga and his ilk should stop insulting Nigerians with propaganda.

If the security agencies truly had eyes on the kidnappers, then letting them escape is a national disgrace that smacks of complicity.

“And if they did not have such capacity, then Onanuga is simply manufacturing lies to cover up a monumental failure of leadership.

“Either way, the statement is an embarrassing admission that this administration has lost control of national security and is now trying to spin incompetence into achievement.

“Nigerians deserve protection, not fairy tales by moonlight” he said.