Atiku decries FG’s ‘lacklustre posture’ as terrorism regains strength in north-east

• Atiku said the suicide attacks in Borno are sad and condemnable, stressing that ugly incidents are worrisome.
• The former Vice President said the achievements recorded in the fight against insurgency are being cancelled by the Tinubu government due to its lacklustre posture towards fighting terrorists.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has asked the federal government not to allow the north-east slide back into terrorism and extreme violence.

In a post on his X Page on Sunday, Atiku condemned the multiple suicide attacks carried out at various locations, including a wedding reception and a burial ceremony in Gwoza town, Borno.

Recall that on Saturday, seven people were said to have been killed after two suspected suicide bombers attacked some wedding guests at Marrarraban Gwoza in Borno state.

Accroding to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, said that many of the victims were said to be returning from a wedding ceremony when the first suicide bomber detonated her explosive near a motor park.

Makama had also said another bomber, disguised as a mourner, detonated an explosive in Gwoza LGA as residents were preparing for the burial of those killed in the first attack.

Reacting, Atiku said such an attack was due to the government’s “lacklustre posture” to hold firmly on the frontline.

“It is a sad development that the ugly incidents of terrorism are resurfacing and, indeed, metastasising in the North-East,” Atiku wrote on X.

“The reported attack by suicide bombers at a wedding reception, funeral procession, and a hospital on Saturday stands condemned.

“It is unfortunate that much of the pushback that had been achieved against the Boko Haram terror sect is being cancelled, owing mainly to the government’s lacklustre posture to hold firmly on the frontline.

“It is thus important to call on the federal authorities to wake up to their responsibility and to make sure that the North-East does not slide back into a theatre of terrorism and extreme violence.

“My condolences go to the families of victims of these attacks, and it is my prayer that God grants a peaceful repose to the souls of the departed. -AA”

In March 2024, two people were injured after an improvised explosive device (IED), strapped to a suspected suicide bomber, detonated near a mosque in Biu LGA of Borno state.