Public commentator Mahdi Shehu has criticised the Federal Government’s explanation of how dozens of abducted church members were freed, describing the official version of events as unbelievable and insulting to Nigerians.
Reacting to comments by a presidential aide on the rescue operation on Tuesday, Shehu said the narrative did not add up and treated citizens as if they could not think for themselves.
In a post shared on X, he asked, “When will they stop taking Nigerians for granted and insulting our collective intelligence?”
Shehu mocked the explanation that security agencies simply contacted the abductors and secured the speedy release of the victims.
He listed several sarcastic possibilities to show how unconvincing he found the government’s account.
According to him, the abductors might have released the worshippers in the spirit of the upcoming Christmas or New Year, or perhaps to show that they also give charity when it matters most.
He went further, suggesting that the release could have been in appreciation of Saint Lucia and Brazil carnivals or that the abductors were awaiting the ransom to be included in the 2026 budget as a permanent line item.
Shehu also mocked the idea of political favour, saying the kidnappers might have hoped the release would earn them a ministerial slot, or even presidential amnesty along with 37 Hilux vehicles.
He ended by questioning the credibility of the entire rescue narrative, saying the explanations offered so far do not reflect the seriousness required in addressing Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.