Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the abduction of relatives of former Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu, stressing that the incident underscores the pervasive insecurity across Nigeria. In a statement issued by his spokesperson Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that the crime demonstrates how even politically connected families are not immune to the nation’s security challenges. He called for the immediate and unconditional release of the victims.
The kidnapping occurred in Ibadan, Oyo State, when gunmen seized Adelabu’s sister and her children at a busy location known as Challenge Bus Stop. The state police command has confirmed the incident and stated that investigations are underway.
Atiku expressed shock that such a brazen act could happen in broad daylight at one of Ibadan’s most prominent intersections. He asserted that if the government had failed to act on the plight of ordinary citizens, the abduction of a former minister’s family should serve as a wake-up call. ‘This administration must abandon its reactive security measures and adopt a proactive, intelligence-driven approach to dismantle kidnapping rings and restore public trust,’ Atiku said.
The opposition leader further noted that the incident reveals the gravity of Nigeria’s security crisis, which has left no one safe. He urged President Bola Tinubu’s government to prioritize the rescue of the victims and implement a comprehensive strategy to secure communities nationwide.