Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says insecurity has become “a way of life” under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, described the abduction of schoolchildren and tutors in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, as a tragic reminder of the country’s deteriorating security situation.

The victims were kidnapped on May 15 after gunmen attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and LA Primary School in Ogbomoso, all located in Oriire LGA.

Atiku said many parents now set aside money for ransom payments just as they do for their children’s school fees.

“Under the Tinubu administration, insecurity has ceased to be an emergency and has become a way of life,” Atiku said.

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Atiku also criticised reports that government officials offered bags of rice and other palliatives to families of the abducted pupils and teachers, describing the move as insensitive.

“The cruelty of such a response is difficult to comprehend. Parents whose children have been torn from their arms are not asking for rice,” he said.

“What these families need is action. What they need is leadership. What they need is a government capable of rescuing their children and bringing the criminals responsible to justice.”

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) said the government’s response amounted to an abdication of responsibility at a time when families were desperate for the safe return of their loved ones.

Atiku said every kidnapping leaves behind traumatised parents, fearful siblings and communities gripped by uncertainty.

“These children are not numbers on a government spreadsheet. They are the hopes of families. They are the future of our nation,” he said.

“Today, many Nigerian parents budget for ransom the same way they budget for school fees. Farmers fear their farms. Travellers fear the highways. Communities fear the night.

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“A nation cannot survive when its citizens are abandoned to criminals, and its leaders respond with public relations gimmicks.

“The government must stop treating these tragedies as routine news items. The captors must be hunted down, arrested, prosecuted, and made examples of.

“A government that cannot protect schoolchildren has failed one of the most basic tests of leadership.”

He called on Tinubu to direct security and intelligence agencies to deploy all available resources toward securing the unconditional release of the abducted pupils and teachers.

Atiku added that Nigerians are increasingly frustrated by what he described as the government’s inability to fulfil its most fundamental responsibility of protecting lives and property.