Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has strongly condemned the recent attack that resulted in the tragic killing of a village head and other residents of Rafi Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State. The attack, which occurred in the Madaka market, claimed the lives of at least 21 people, including the village head.
Reports indicate that the bandits invaded the market in the afternoon, around 3 pm, when commercial activities were at their peak. The attackers opened fire on the crowd, causing panic and resulting in numerous casualties. Among the victims was a newly married butcher who had gone to the market for business purposes.
In response to this heartbreaking incident, Atiku Abubakar took to X on Friday to express his outrage, stating that Nigeria has become a “killing field” under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership. He emphasized the urgent need to introduce state police as a measure to address the prevailing security challenges across the country.
He wrote: “It is saddening that Nigeria has become a killing field. Thursday’s killing of scores of persons, including the village head and abduction of an unspecified number of people by suspected bandits in Madaka, in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, is yet another confirmation that contrary to assurances, insecurity continues to be rife in our country.
“We have to prioritise security and speed up the process of a constitutional amendment that will introduce State Police so that states and local authorities can deploy mechanisms that best suit their environment in tackling this hydra-headed insecurity in our land.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the bereaved and the government and people of Niger State.”