Release of abducted Kebbi schoolgirls “not a victory”, says Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned that the release of the recently abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi State should not be seen as a victory, stressing that the recurring abductions of students across the country highlight deep-rooted security failures that require urgent attention.

In a statement on Tuesday, Atiku welcomed the safe return of the girls but insisted that celebrations were misplaced, given the trauma the victims endured and the persistent vulnerability of schools to violent attacks. He noted that Nigeria has yet to implement comprehensive measures to prevent mass abductions, despite repeated incidents over the years.

“At this point, the rescue of kidnapped schoolchildren should not be considered an achievement. The real success lies in preventing these sinister attacks from happening in the first place,” Atiku said.

He criticized what he described as the government’s reactive approach to security, arguing that the pattern of abductions,particularly targeting schoolchildren,shows that criminal groups remain emboldened. According to him, the continued insecurity undermines education, destabilizes communities, and erodes public trust in the state’s ability to protect its citizens.

Atiku renewed his call for a holistic overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture, including better coordination among security agencies, improved intelligence gathering, and community-driven early-warning systems. He also urged the government to prioritize the safety of schools by adopting and enforcing the Safe Schools Declaration, which outlines global best practices for protecting educational spaces in conflict-prone areas.

Parents and community members in Kebbi have continued to express relief over the girls’ release but share concerns about their long-term well-being and the risk of future attacks.

Atiku’s comments add to growing public pressure on authorities to take more decisive steps to curb kidnapping and restore security across the country.