Tinubu Faces Backlash Over UAE Solidarity While Silent on 416 Boko Haram Captives

Nigerians online turned on President Bola Tinubu after he posted a solidarity message for the UAE amid the US-Israel-Iran conflict — while staying quiet on the 416 Nigerians held captive by Boko Haram in Borno.

Tinubu took to social media on Wednesday to back the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. “Nigeria is for global peace and stability and for its friends and partners anywhere,” he wrote. “I am particularly concerned by the attacks on UAE’s civilian and economic infrastructure. I reaffirm my support and solidarity to the President of UAE.”

For many Nigerians, that post landed wrong. A faction of Boko Haram had just issued a 72-hour ultimatum over 416 abducted Ngoshe residents in Gwoza, and a video released by the insurgents showed the captives begging Tinubu — and Donald Trump — for rescue.

“How many people die for UAE wey you dey shout like this? Meanwhile for Nigeria, people dey die everyday — bandits, kidnappers, terrorists — and you quiet,” wrote one X user. Another: “People are dying in your backyard and you are standing with UAE. Stand with Jos, Benue, Taraba, Zamfara, Borno, Niger and others first. It’s your job to secure Nigeria.”

Senator Ali Ndume has backed the government’s cautious approach, saying authorities are handling the captives situation through negotiation rather than force. The Presidency has not publicly responded to the backlash.

The 416 have been in Boko Haram custody for over a month. No rescue has been announced.

Sources: Pulse Nigeria, The Nation, Leadership NG