A former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has blamed the increasing rate of kidnapping and insecurity in the country on abject poverty and hunger.
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 elections made his position known on Tuesday.
Abubakar, who spoke via his X account, described the level of violence in the country as distressing.
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He tweeted: It is obvious that the worsening poverty and hunger in the land is escalating the level of kidnapping and insecurity in Nigeria, particularly in Abuja, the Federal capital.
“The escalating violence and lawlessness in our nation deeply distresses me as bandits and kidnappers continue their reign of terror unchecked.
“Our youths and innocent citizens are murdered daily.
“Just last Saturday, we lost Naheeba to her captors.
“Yesterday, the tragedy deepened with the murder of more victims, including Folorunsho Ariyo, a 13 year-old student.
“Folorunsho was one of ten people kidnapped from Sagwari Estate Layout in Dutse, Bwari Area Council of the FCT, on January 7th, 2024.
“When the government fails to fulfill its constitutional obligations of protecting the lives and property of citizens, it is an invitation to kidnappers and other criminal elements to have a free rein visiting houses and hotels in and around the capital city, kidnapping citizens without resistance.
“This is a sad development.”
The former vice president while lamenting the continued attacks of the kidnappers, which, according to him, remain unchecked, called on the authorities to address the dire security situation to regain the trust of Nigerians.