Outcry Mounts Across Political, Labour, and Civil Society Blocs
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is facing escalating criticism from leading political figures, civic activists, labour unions, and entertainers in the wake of deadly attacks across Kebbi and Kwara States. Opposition leaders and civil society groups accuse the administration of failing to protect citizens and allowing violent armed groups to expand their reach across key corridors.
"Shocking Intelligence Failure" — Kwankwaso
Former Kano State Governor and 2023 NNPP presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, stated that the sudden surge in coordinated attacks represents a "shocking intelligence and operational failure." Kwankwaso pointed to the recent abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the tragic killing of Brigadier General Musa Uba in Borno State as evidence that security architecture requires immediate overhaul.
"The government must urgently mobilize all tactical resources for rescue efforts and institute an exhaustive inquiry into these security breaches," Kwankwaso stated during a media briefing in Abuja.
Amaechi Calls for Stronger Political Will
Former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, joined the condemnation, warning that inconsistent enforcement and half-measures have "emboldened criminal syndicates." Amaechi urged President Tinubu to demonstrate uncompromising resolve and make the necessary structural changes within security command hierarchies.
Labour Unions and Civil Society Reactions
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) issued a press release expressing alarm over recurring mass abductions, asserting that previous assurances by the federal authorities that school kidnappings were a thing of the past have not been matched with effective deterrence.
Meanwhile, public outrage surged across social media platforms. Activists including Omoyele Sowore, Inibehe Effiong, and Deji Adeyanju, alongside cultural figures such as Falz, Femi Adebayo, Mr Macaroni, and Simi, demanded heightened government accountability and swift rescue operations. Community leaders in Kwara warned that slow emergency response times in border communities like Eruku could further destabilize regional commerce.