The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has called on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to call out bandits, rather than accusing President Bola Tinubu of insecurity to score cheap political points.
The group alleged that while Atiku Abubakar had been observed to be always quick to lash out at President Bola Tinubu on insecurity, he has always fallen short of condemning the perpetrators, citing the recent example of the death of former military spokesman Major General Rabe Abubakar in bandits’ captivity.
In a statement on Saturday by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, the group argued that as someone seeking the highest office in the land, he should not be seen turning a blind eye to dastardly acts and activities of bandits with a Fulani ethnic background.
The group named bandit commander, Kachalla Muhammadu, as the figure responsible for the abduction of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar in Katsina State, and suggested Atiku, as a northern elderstatesman, should take the lead in calling out banditry in the region.
TMSG alleged that Atiku’s approach reflects a pattern of using insecurity for political gain, pointing to what it described as similar conduct during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration between 2012 and 2013, and accusing him of having mocked former President Muhammadu Buhari’s handling of schools abducations by bandits in North West Nigeria.
The group acknoweledged that banditry in the region originated from scattered conflicts between herders and farmers before escalating into a national security concern repadating President Tinubu’s administration, but said the former Vice President’s recent comments amounted to undermining ongoing military operations, particularly in northern Nigeria. It cited the rescue of the late general’s wife during a military offensive against bandits as evidence of progress.
TMSG reference President Tinubu’s recent June 12 anniversary offer of a surrender window for bandits, and said it hoped Atiku would not accuse of heavy-handedness once the window closes and the broader military offensive begins.
The group also challenged members of Atiku’s media team to enbed with troops, referencing a similar challange previously issued by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa. it therfore, appealed to Nigerians to support the military and the Tinubu administration in ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity.
