Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the federal government’s response to the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State, arguing that affected families need the safe return of their loved ones rather than relief materials.
Key Highlights:
Atiku’s reaction comes amid growing public concern over the abduction of dozens of schoolchildren, teachers and residents from communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, following attacks by terrorists on May 15, 2026.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president faulted the distribution of food items to victims’ families, describing the gesture as insensitive at a time when parents remain uncertain about the fate of their children.
According to Atiku, the administration of President Bola Tinubu appears disconnected from the pain and anxiety being experienced by families whose children remain in captivity.
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“The cruelty of such a response is difficult to comprehend,” Atiku said.
“Parents whose children have been torn from their arms are not asking for rice. Mothers who do not know whether their children are hungry, sick, traumatised, or even alive are not demanding palliatives.”
He argued that what the affected families require is urgent government action, aimed at securing the release of the victims and bringing those responsible for the abductions to justice.
“Fathers who wake up every morning praying for a phone call announcing the safe return of their children are not looking for handouts,” he stated.
“What these families need is action. What they need is leadership. What they need is a government capable of rescuing their children and bringing the criminals responsible to justice.”
Atiku’s comments followed reports that President Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, visited Oyo State in the aftermath of the attacks and oversaw the distribution of food items, including bags of rice, to affected families.
The former presidential candidate described the gesture as a reflection of what he called a failure of governance at a time when citizens were demanding security, accountability and decisive leadership.
“It is a damning verdict on this government that while criminals operate with audacity and freedom, innocent schoolchildren are abducted from their classrooms and the official response is the distribution of rice,” he said.
“This is not governance. This is an abdication of responsibility. It is a tragic confession of failure by an administration that seems increasingly overwhelmed by the very duties it swore to perform.”
Atiku urged the federal government and security agencies to prioritise the rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers, insisting that nothing should take precedence over efforts to bring them home safely.
“Bring the children home. Bring their teachers home. Arrest their captors. Secure our schools. Restore confidence in the ability of the state to protect its citizens. Anything less is unacceptable,” he declared.
His remarks echoed the position earlier expressed by parents and residents of the affected communities, many of whom reportedly rejected relief materials offered by government officials.
