Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticised the latest bandit attack in Kajuru, Kaduna State, warning that so called peace deals with armed groups often end up empowering criminals rather than delivering justice or safety to victims.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, January 21, by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku said government engagement with bandits must be anchored on the protection of citizens and their rights, not concessions that weaken the state and embolden violent actors.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, had earlier confirmed that worshippers were abducted by bandits during a church service in Kajuru on Sunday.
Reacting to the incident, Atiku lamented what he described as the growing confidence of bandits, who continue to launch attacks on communities without facing meaningful consequences.
He warned that claims of success around peace agreements in some states ring hollow when kidnappings and assaults persist.
“It is difficult to achieve deterrence in a situation where governors are on their knees begging bandits in the name of peace deals,” Atiku said.
He stressed that dialogue should not be dismissed outright, but insisted it must not be driven by criminals.
“The former Vice President said that while he is not against negotiations to end the violence, he will not accept a situation where the bandits dictate the peace deals on their own terms.
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“Those peace deals always favour the bandits more than their victims, and they have always fooled the government’s negotiators,” he said.
Atiku also criticised what he described as a reactive approach to security, urging authorities to act before lives are lost.
“Furthermore, Atiku advised that the government does not have to wait until the bandits launch attacks before it responds to them.
“Nigerians are no longer impressed by the powerful language of condemnation by the government.
“They’re more interested in results than rhetoric. Experience has shown that if rhetoric were enough to deter the bandits, the menace would have ended a long time ago,” he said.
He concluded by holding the Bola Tinubu-led APC government to account, insisting it must be judged by the same strict standards it once applied while in opposition.
“Nigerians cannot be comforted by excuses. As a former opposition party, the APC held the then government in power to the harshest and merciless standards, and therefore, the Tinubu administration must be held to the same standards,” Atiku said.