The leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged that the Federal Government’s perceived negotiations with terrorists for the release of recent abductees from a Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School Maga, Kebbi State, the St Mary’s Catholic School, Niger State and the Christ Apostolic Church Eruki in Kwara State.
In a statement released after a press conference on Wednesday, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi cautioned the FG against dealings with bandits and terrorists rampaging across the nation.
Abdullahi said that while it is delightful that the victims of these terrorist attacks have returned home to join their families, it is important to note that these abductions should never have happened in the first place if the government were alive to its responsibility.
He noted that what Nigeria is witnessing, currently, is the consequence of an administration distracted by politics and behaving less like a democratic government and more like an occupying force.
Abdullahi said it is unfortunate that it took a chastening comment from President Trump to provoke even the slightest response from the present administration led by President Bola Tinubu.
Also stating that the ADC remain deeply concerned about the opaque and troubling manner in which the release of the abductees was secured, Abdullahi said the FG is not being honest with Nigerians about the circumstances surrounding the release of the abducted victims.
“We strongly believe that this administration is negotiating deals with insurgents. It is especially alarming to hear the Inspector General of Police state that the perpetrators of the Kwara church attack were not arrested because they “came out voluntarily for the peace talk.” Equally troubling is the comment attributed to the Presidential Spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, suggesting that the abductees were released simply because the government and security operatives“asked them nicely.”
“This raises serious questions: Is the Nigerian government paying ransom to insurgents? What exactly was exchanged for the so-called “surrender of weapons” by the kidnappers? And if these bandits truly surrendered weapons, what prevents them from simply acquiring new ones and continuing their criminal enterprise, if they are not going to be arrested and brought to face justice? What happened to the people they shot and killed in cold blood? Where is justice for the families of those victims if their murderers are allowed to go scot-free because the government needs a quick win to celebrate?
“The ADC is deeply concerned that if negotiation with bandits has become the government’s strategy for tackling insurgency and the surge in kidnappings, then Nigeria is on a dangerous and misguided path,” Abdullahi said.
He added that this approach is that of an administration searching for shortcuts instead of confronting the problem decisively.
According to him, by appeasing insurgents in this manner, the government is, in effect, expanding the banditry economy.
Further noting that this sets a dangerous precedent, the coalition party urged the FG to act in the interest of Nigerian children and the public to secure schools across the nation.
“A country that cannot protect its children cannot protect its future.
“The ADC urges the government to act decisively, transparently, and responsibly. Reopen the schools. Secure the schools,” he noted.
