By DAYO ADESULU
Families in Shock as Abductions and Terror Attacks Escalate
Nigeria is once again confronting a wave of fear and frustration after 25 schoolgirls were abducted in Kebbi State, deepening anxiety over worsening insecurity across the country. The kidnapping, confirmed by community leaders and local security sources, has triggered an uproar nationwide as citizens demand firm leadership and urgent rescue efforts.
The outrage intensified after reports emerged that a serving Brigadier General in the Nigerian Army was executed by Boko Haram/ISWAP—a development that should have prompted immediate reaction from the highest levels of government. Instead, the absence of official statements has widened public anger.
The growing perception among citizens is clear: Nigeria is battling a severe security crisis, and those in charge appear detached from the urgency of the moment.
Public Anger at Tinubu’s Silence as Communities Mourn
At the centre of the debate is President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has yet to address either the Kebbi schoolgirls abducted incident or the killing of the top military officer. The President’s most recent public message was a congratulatory note to a “seasoned banker,” a gesture many Nigerians described as tone-deaf.
For families in Kebbi, the silence from the Presidency feels like a painful abandonment. “At a time like this, we expected the President to speak, to reassure us,” a parent of one of the abducted girls said. “Instead, we are left alone with our fears.”
Security analysts note that nationally significant tragedies typically demand an immediate show of leadership. Citizens say that without it, confidence in the state’s ability to protect them continues to erode.
Questions Surround Inspector General of Police’s Leadership
Equally troubling is the silence from the Inspector General of Police, whose office has not issued any statement since the schoolgirls were seized.
Critics argue that the IGP, whose appointment has been trailed by controversy, should have faced consequences long before now. His handling of previous crises—particularly his response to the Yelwata massacre in Benue—has been widely condemned.
“The Inspector General has maintained complete silence while Nigerians bleed,” a retired security officer remarked. “This is not leadership. This is negligence.”
With kidnappings and terror attacks rising across the North-West, many Nigerians believe the absence of proactive policing has emboldened violent groups.
A Nation Shaken by a General’s Execution
The execution of a Brigadier General by ISWAP has compounded national anxiety. Military insiders describe it as one of the most shocking killings of the year, not only because of the officer’s rank but also because it underscores the growing capabilities of extremist groups.
Still, the Presidency has not addressed the matter. Security experts say this silence sends a dangerous message—that attacks on military personnel can occur without decisive public response or strategic review at the highest level.
A senior security analyst noted, “When a general is executed and the Commander-in-Chief says nothing, morale within the armed forces takes a hit. Troops need to know the state stands firmly behind them.”
Growing Fears of a Government Losing Control
For many Nigerians, these cascading events—the Kebbi schoolgirls abducted, the killing of a Brigadier General, and the silence of top leaders—paint a troubling picture of a country slipping deeper into insecurity.
From rural communities to the major cities, people are expressing fears that the state is losing grip on its core responsibility: the protection of lives and property.
Public commentators warn that a nation where children are kidnapped and senior officers murdered without a strong governmental response is edging toward instability. They insist that Nigeria cannot afford a leadership vacuum in moments of crisis.
Calls for Accountability and Urgent Action
Civil society groups, lawmakers, and security experts are urging the government to break its silence and provide immediate updates on rescue efforts. They also want a transparent review of the nation’s security architecture, especially the performance of top uniformed officers.
Families of the abducted schoolgirls are appealing for swift intervention before the girls are moved deeper into forest enclaves where rescue operations become more challenging.
They are also asking for empathy—from a government they say has been disturbingly quiet.
For now, the country waits. And with each passing hour, the pressure on the Presidency and its security chiefs grows.
#KebbiSchoolgirlsAbducted #NigeriaSecurityCrisis #Tinubu #Insecurity #BokoHaram #ISWAP #TheCheerNews
