Presidency Accuses Atiku Of ‘Selling Fear’ Over Nigeria’s Security Situation.

Presidency Accuses Atiku Of ‘Selling Fear’ Over Nigeria’s Security Situation.

The Presidency has accused former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar of “selling fear” to Nigerians after he criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s handling of the country’s security situation.

The former vice-president had raised concerns over the reported killing of 5,091 Nigerians in violent incidents within three months, questioning the security performance of the Tinubu administration.

Reacting to the criticism, Presidential spokesperson Temitope Ajayi said Atiku was overlooking what he described as significant successes recorded by the military, police and Department of State Services (DSS) in the fight against terrorism, banditry and other forms of insecurity.

Ajayi claimed that security agencies had eliminated between 13,000 and 20,000 terrorists and rescued at least 10,000 Nigerians from captivity during the same period.

He also pointed to the recent rescue of 308 Nigerians in the North-Central region, saying the operation demonstrated the continued efforts of security agencies to protect citizens and dismantle criminal networks.

The presidential aide accused Atiku of engaging in what he described as a “politics of despair,” arguing that the former vice-president should acknowledge the progress being made by the country’s security forces.

Ajayi maintained that while security challenges remained a major concern, the efforts and achievements of the military, police and other security agencies should not be ignored in assessing the administration’s performance.