September 29, 2025 — Nigerian lawyer Egi Abubakar has come under fire after a controversial post on X (formerly Twitter). The viral banditry tweet read that Nigerians are “killing and kidnapping each other while expecting government intervention,” sparking outrage among citizens who viewed it over 64,000 times.
Critics accused Abubakar of downplaying government responsibilities, pointing out that the Nigerian constitution explicitly requires the state to safeguard lives and property. Many also linked his remarks to his open support for the All Progressives Congress (APC), questioning whether he was defending the ruling party amid Nigeria’s worsening insecurity crisis.
The debate was fueled by fresh violence in Kwara State, where bandits attacked on September 28, killing 12 vigilantes. The Nigerian Air Force responded with airstrikes, while Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq appealed for urgent federal reinforcements. The tragic incident highlighted the escalating banditry problem and intensified scrutiny of government performance.
In response to the uproar, Egi Abubakar clarified that his banditry tweet was an expression of frustration, not an attempt to absolve the government. He argued that both citizens engaging in violence and state institutions failing in their duties must be held accountable.
The controversy reflects a broader struggle in Nigeria’s public discourse: citizens demand greater protection, while government officials insist that insecurity is a shared burden. As bandit attacks persist in Kwara, Zamfara, Benue, and other regions, the balance of citizen responsibility versus government accountability remains hotly contested.
Be the first to comment