The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed deep concern over the escalating acts of banditry and terrorism in Nigeria.
Atiku voiced his concerns in a post on his X handle on Tuesday, following a brutal attack by bandits on Yargoje village in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, which left 20 people dead.
In a statement on Monday, ASP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, the spokesman for the Katsina Police Command, confirmed the tragic incident, revealing that the attack claimed the lives of 20 people, including four police officers and two operatives of the state-owned Community Watch Corps.
The bandits reportedly ambushed a police armoured personnel carrier that was responding to a distress call at Gidan Tofa and Dan Nakwabo villages, resulting in the deaths of the security operatives.
Reacting to the incident, Atiku Abubakar condemned the routine nature of such violent attacks, criticizing the government for its perceived inaction despite significant defense spending.
“I am saddened by reports of the attack on Yargoje village in Kankara LGA of Katsina State, which claimed scores of lives and the kidnap of vulnerable women and children,” Atiku stated.
He continued, “It is also sad that the bandits ambushed the police armoured personnel carrier responding to the distress call at Gidan Tofa and Dan Nakwabo villages, killing four police officers and two members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps.
Most worrisome to me is that these acts of banditry and terrorism have become routine, with the government seemingly helpless and nonchalant about it despite the enormous annual budget for defence.”
The former vice president urged the federal government to fulfill its primary responsibility of safeguarding citizens’ lives and properties.
“While I sympathize with the families of the victims, I will once again call on the government to be alive to its responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the citizens,” Atiku added.
