By Adamu Hamzer Marree Talum
On Friday, 21 August 2026, while Muslims were observing Jumu’at prayers, bandits reportedly stormed Dekara, a village in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, and abducted no fewer than 500 people, including men, women, the elderly, and young people.
Following the incident, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered a coordinated security manhunt aimed at rescuing the abducted citizens. This response was welcomed by millions of Northerners, particularly those directly affected by the incident and the broader insecurity confronting the region.
However, the decision of the President to embark on a trip to Europe while hundreds of Nigerians remain in captivity has raised serious concerns among many people in the North. At a time when banditry and kidnapping continue to threaten the lives and security of citizens, such a journey can easily be interpreted as a lack of urgency and concern, regardless of the President’s stated intentions.
The people of the North are not concerned with words alone; they are increasingly looking at the actions of their leaders. In moments of national crisis, citizens expect their President to demonstrate not only leadership through directives but also a visible sense of urgency, empathy, and personal commitment.
For the families of those abducted, this is not an ordinary political issue. Parents, spouses, children, relatives, and communities are living in anxiety, uncertainty, and fear. Many are unable to sleep peacefully, waiting for news about their loved ones. Under such circumstances, they naturally expect the President to share, as much as possible, in their sense of urgency and anguish.
That is why the sight of the President departing for Europe at such a critical moment has caused disappointment among many Northerners. While there may be legitimate reasons for the President’s trip, the timing has created a perception that the crisis is not receiving the level of attention it deserves.
We all understand that the President cannot suspend every national responsibility whenever a security incident occurs. Nevertheless, the lives and safety of Nigerian citizens must remain among the highest priorities of government.
Leadership is not only about issuing orders; it is also about being present, demonstrating empathy, and reassuring citizens when they are at their most vulnerable.
The President’s decision has consequently contributed to growing frustration and tension across parts of the North. Even some of President Tinubu’s admirers may begin to question whether the administration fully understands the depth of the insecurity and the suffering being experienced by ordinary citizens.
At this moment, many Northerners are not necessarily looking for a political substitute for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Rather, they are looking for leadership that speaks directly to their fears and stands firmly with them in times of crisis. The public interventions of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar during the incident have resonated with some people because they perceive his statements as demonstrating solidarity with the affected communities.
This is the kind of empathy and sense of responsibility that citizens expect from leaders. In a moment when hundreds of Nigerians are reportedly being held captive, the country needs leadership that communicates urgency, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to bringing every abducted citizen home.
The people of the North deserve more than assurances. They deserve to see decisive action, sustained attention, and leadership that makes them feel that their lives matter.
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