Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Federal and Imo State governments, as well as security agencies, to urgently rescue travellers abducted in Imo State.
Abubakar made the call in a post on his X account on Monday, describing the abduction of 20 travellers, including prospective National Youth Service Corps members, as heartbreaking.
He noted that some of the victims had been rescued, while others remained in captivity, urging authorities to intensify efforts to secure the safe return of those still being held.
“The abduction of 20 travellers, including prospective corps members, in Imo State is heartbreaking. Some have been rescued, but others remain in captivity,” Abubakar said.
“I urge the Federal and Imo State governments, and all security agencies, to act with urgency and bring everyone still being held home safely.”
The former vice president also raised concerns over the continued captivity of more than 70 pupils and students abducted from Mussa and Lassa communities in Borno State.
He said the victims had remained in captivity for months and urged the government to provide their families with regular updates on efforts to secure their release.
“In Borno, more than 70 pupils and students abducted from Mussa and Lassa remain in captivity months later. These children must not be forgotten. Their families deserve clear updates, and the public deserves answers,” he said.
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Abubakar criticised the Federal Government over what he described as the continued exposure of Nigerians to kidnappers despite the removal of fuel subsidy.
He recalled President Bola Tinubu’s promise that savings from the subsidy removal would help fund security, arguing that insecurity remained widespread across roads, communities and schools.
“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,” he said.
He further expressed concern over the safety and welfare of young Nigerians, noting that students faced insecurity in schools, financial difficulties in accessing higher education and the growing risk of abduction while travelling to NYSC camps.
“ This is a generation being failed at every stage,” he added.
The former vice president also questioned the awarding of what he described as huge pipeline security contracts to politically connected companies while ordinary Nigerians continued to face insecurity.
“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.
Abubakar called for prayers for the immediate and safe rescue of all abducted persons and reiterated his commitment to building what he described as a safer and more affordable Nigeria.
“My promise to build a safer and more affordable Nigeria, where young people can create, build and prosper, remains unshakable,” he said.