Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticised the worsening wave of insecurity across Nigeria, warning that persistent attacks by terrorists and armed groups are threatening national stability and public confidence in government.

Reacting to recent killings in states including Borno, Kaduna, Benue, Kebbi, Kwara, and Katsina, Atiku described the violence as unacceptable and called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to treat security as its highest constitutional responsibility. He stressed that government must urgently improve coordination and intensify efforts to protect lives and property, especially in rural communities increasingly targeted by insurgents and bandits.

Among the incidents cited were the deadly attack on the military base in Benisheikh, Borno State, where Brigadier-General O.O. Braimah and several soldiers were killed, as well as mass casualty attacks in Kebbi and Kwara that reportedly left dozens dead. Atiku extended condolences to victims and praised international cooperation, particularly support from the United States, in combating terrorism.

Beyond security, Atiku also faulted Tinubu’s recent remarks comparing Nigeria’s petrol prices favorably to those in countries such as Kenya. According to him, focusing only on pump prices ignores the deeper economic reality facing Nigerians. He argued that while petrol may be cheaper in Nigeria on paper, citizens earn significantly less and face a higher cost of living, making fuel effectively less affordable.

Atiku maintained that affordability should be measured not just by price, but by the relationship between wages and living expenses. He pointed out that Kenya’s average income levels and GDP per capita are considerably higher than Nigeria’s, meaning citizens there are better positioned to absorb higher fuel costs.

Describing Tinubu’s comparison as “selective reasoning,” Atiku said the government risks appearing disconnected from the hardship citizens face if it continues relying on narrow statistics instead of addressing inflation, poverty, and declining purchasing power.