Public Commentator Questions Credibility of Nigeria’s Rescue Narratives Amid Rising Insecurity.
Public Commentator Questions Credibility of Nigeria’s Rescue Narratives Amid Rising Insecurity.
Public commentator Mahdi Shehu has openly criticised the Federal Government’s account of how dozens of abducted church members were released, calling the official version unbelievable and insulting to Nigerians’ intelligence. Reacting to a statement by a presidential aide on Tuesday, Shehu argued that the government’s narrative did not add up and treated citizens as if they could not think critically.
On social media platform X, Shehu questioned, “When will they stop taking Nigerians for granted and insulting our collective intelligence?” He mocked the government’s explanation that security agencies simply contacted the abductors and quickly secured the victims’ release, describing it as implausible.
To illustrate his skepticism, Shehu offered sarcastic possibilities. He suggested that the kidnappers might have released the worshippers because of the upcoming Christmas or New Year celebrations, or perhaps to demonstrate charity during the festive season. He also joked that the release could have been in celebration of the Saint Lucia and Brazil carnivals, or that the abductors were waiting for ransom funds to be included as a permanent line item in the 2026 national budget.
Further ridiculing the narrative, Shehu speculated that the kidnappers might have hoped their actions would earn them a ministerial appointment or even presidential amnesty, along with 37 Hilux vehicles. He expressed doubt over the credibility of the entire rescue story, asserting that the explanations provided so far do not reflect the seriousness needed to address Nigeria’s escalating insecurity crisis.
In sum, Shehu’s comments underscore widespread public frustration and suspicion over official accounts of security operations, highlighting the growing distrust in government narratives amid Nigeria’s worsening insecurity situation.
