Nigeria’s former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has raised fresh concerns over the country’s security architecture following a wave of deadly terrorist attacks in Maiduguri, warning that the resurgence of violence could weaken public trust in government.
In a strongly worded statement released on Tuesday, Atiku expressed deep sorrow over the coordinated attacks that rocked the Borno State capital, describing the return of suicide bombings as a troubling development.
“I am very sad at the latest terrorist attacks in Borno State and the resurfacing of suicide bombing that were hitherto defeated,” he said.
The attacks, which occurred on Monday night, struck multiple locations almost simultaneously, including the bustling Maiduguri Monday Market, the city’s Post Office, and an area near the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. The explosions left at least 23 people dead and more than 100 others injured, plunging residents into fear and mourning.
Atiku warned that such incidents, if not swiftly addressed, could erode citizens’ confidence in the government’s ability to guarantee safety and security.
“The resurgence of terrorism is capable of eroding public confidence in the ability of the government to protect its own citizens,” he added, urging authorities to urgently reassess and strengthen current security strategies.
The former presidential candidate emphasized the need for a proactive and intelligence-driven approach to counterterrorism, noting that the apparent return of coordinated attacks signals gaps that must be urgently closed.
The tragic incidents have once again brought national attention to the fragile security situation in the North-East, a region that has battled insurgency for over a decade. As families mourn and survivors recover, calls for decisive action continue to grow louder, with many Nigerians demanding renewed commitment to ending the cycle of violence.
