Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of withholding appropriated security funds, alleging that the decision has contributed to the deaths of more than 17,000 Nigerians since the government assumed office.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said recent remarks by Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno had reinforced longstanding concerns about the Federal Government’s handling of security funding and budget implementation.

According to Atiku, independent conflict monitors estimate that over 17,000 Nigerians have been killed in violent attacks since Tinubu took office, while thousands more have been abducted by terrorists, bandits and other criminal groups.

“These are not mere statistics. They are fathers, mothers, children, farmers, students and breadwinners whose lives have been cut short. Behind every number is a family condemned to a lifetime of grief,” the statement said.

The former vice president argued that Senator Monguno’s comments raised serious questions about the implementation of the national budget, particularly why funds appropriated for security had allegedly not been released despite the country’s worsening security situation.

He maintained that if resources approved for equipment, intelligence gathering, logistics and military operations were withheld, the government could not evade responsibility for the consequences.

Atiku also criticised the Tinubu administration’s approach to insecurity, alleging that it had become reactive rather than preventive, despite the President’s past criticism of former President Goodluck Jonathan over similar challenges.

Referring to his traditional title, Zege Mule U Tiv II, Atiku said effective leadership requires protecting vulnerable communities before attacks occur, rather than responding after lives have been lost.

He outlined what he described as the security priorities of an African Democratic Congress (ADC) administration, including the timely release and transparent management of security funds, intelligence-led policing, deployment of modern surveillance technology, strengthened border security, improved inter-agency collaboration, enhanced welfare for security personnel and the establishment of community-based early warning systems.

“Nigeria does not need a president who merely mourns the dead after every massacre. Nigeria needs a president who protects the living,” Atiku said.