Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Monday lamented the spate of insecurity in the country despite President Bola Tinubu’s promise to improve security with funds saved from fuel subsidy removal.

“Tinubu promised that savings from subsidy removal would help fund security. Yet, Nigerians remain exposed to kidnappers on our roads, in our communities and around our schools,” Mr Abubakar said on X.

Mr Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress’ 2027 presidential candidate, decried the recent abduction of 20 prospective corps members and the prolonged captivity of Borno schoolchildren abducted in May.

“The abduction of 20 travellers, including prospective corps members, in Imo State is heartbreaking. Some have been rescued, but others remain in captivity,” Mr Abubakar said.

He added, “In Borno, more than 70 pupils and students abducted from Mussa and Lassa remain in captivity months later. These children must not be forgotten.” 

The presidential aspirant noted that aside from security threats, Nigerian students face an inability to pay tuition, while the government awards huge security contracts to political allies.

“Young people face danger in secondary school, struggle with unaffordable fees at university, and are now targets on their journeys to NYSC camps. This is a generation being failed at every stage.

“Meanwhile, huge pipeline security contracts go to politically connected companies, while ordinary Nigerians are left to face criminals. The first duty of government is to protect lives,” he said.

Mr Abubakar charged Mr Tinubu to secure the release of abducted Nigerians, promising “to build a safer and more affordable Nigeria, where young people can create, build and prosper, remains unshakeable” if elected in 2027.