The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has decried the worsening insecurity across Nigeria, saying the country is now “clearly under siege”, as violent attacks continue to spread across several states.
In a statement shared on his X handle yesterday, Obi said the scale of insecurity has become unbearable, lamenting that many communities are under constant attacks while the response from the nation’s leaders remains largely silent.
Citing the recent attack in Ngoshe community of Borno State, Obi said, “This week alone in Borno State’s Ngoshe community, terrorists overpowered soldiers, killing them and several citizens, while abducting more than 100 women and children yet our leaders are silent”.
He stated that the sacrifices of soldiers defending the country are often overlooked, expressing hope that fallen troops would one day receive the honour they deserve from national leaders. “The sacrifice of our brave and dedicated soldiers is passed in silence. I look forward to the day when our fallen soldiers are given the dignified burials they deserve, with their bodies received and honoured by the nation’s leaders and political authorities”, he said.
The former Anambra State governor also highlighted the security challenges facing several states, including Nasarawa, Kogi and Benue, where he said residents are raising the alarm over terrorists invading farms and forests, disrupting economic activities and forcing villages to flee.
According to him, in Kadarko area of Nasarawa State, about 14,318 civilians have already been registered as internally displaced persons (IDPs). Obi further cited incidents in Oyo, Ondo and Kebbi States where he said residents were killed and others abducted.
The former presidential candidate said the growing insecurity had now crept into the nation’s capital, referencing a recent attack in Kubwa, Abuja, where residents, including women and children, were abducted from their homes. “This is yet another grim reminder that insecurity is no longer distant but now a norm. These are national tragedies happening simultaneously across the country, claiming the lives of civilians and security operatives alike”, he said.
Obi stressed that the primary responsibility of government was to protect the lives and property of citizens, urging leaders to focus on addressing the worsening security situation.
“These are not just news items; Nigerians deserve commitment and leadership that puts their safety and welfare first. It is time to restore security, dignity, and hope to every corner of this nation”, Obi stressed.
