Ruggedman urges public to hold government accountable for abductions, not celebrities

Rapper and activist Michael Stephens, known as Ruggedman, stated that public criticism following the abduction of students and teachers in Oyo State should be directed at government authorities and security agencies, not celebrities. In an interview, he argued that while public figures are often expected to react to national tragedies, the responsibility for protecting lives rests with the government. Ruggedman emphasized that celebrities are not government officials, police, or soldiers, and therefore, their urgent response is not what is needed. He expressed sympathy for the victims and their families, describing the incident as heartbreaking, but noted that speaking out on governance issues has become increasingly difficult due to hostility faced by critics of government actions, with some even facing arrest. He added that leaders who cannot tolerate criticism risk being seen as authoritarian. Regarding expectations for religious leaders to intervene, Ruggedman stated that their influence is limited and that the responsibility for protecting citizens ultimately lies with the government, as they are the ones with the trained personnel to act.