Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described as worrisome the situation whereby acts of banditry and terrorism have become routine in the country.
Atiku said the government is seemingly helpless and nonchalant about it despite the enormous annual budget for defence.
His statement came after the Police Command in Katsina State confirmed the killing of about 20 people, four police officers and two operatives of the state-owned Community Watch Corps by some suspected bandits.
According to reports, the attack occurred on Sunday at Gidan Tofa and Dan Nakwabo villages in the Kankara Local Government Area of the state.
Atiku, in a post on his X handle on Tuesday, said it’s sad that the bandits ambushed the police armoured personnel carrier responding to the distress call.
He said: “I am saddened by reports of the attack on Yargoje village in Kankara LGA of Katsina State, which claimed scores of lives and the kidnap of vulnerable women and children.
“It is also sad that the bandits ambushed the police armoured personnel carrier responding to the distress call at Gidan Tofa and Dan Nakwabo villages, killing four police officers and two members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps.
“Most worrisome to me is that these acts of banditry and terrorism have become routine, with the government seemingly helpless and nonchalant about it despite the enormous annual budget for defence.
“While I sympathise with the families of the victims, I will once again call on the government to be alive to its responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the citizens.”
Insecurity: Tinubu govt helpless despite enormous defence budget – Atiku