Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has decried the rising number of killings and abductions in Nigeria, claiming that insecurity has deteriorated under the current administration.
In a statement made on Monday, Obi described the situation as concerning and urged political authorities to take immediate measures to protect residents.
“Despite not being at war, the killings, abductions and banditry incidents in our country continue to be daily and increasing at a worrisome rate,” he said.
Obi mentioned the recent attack in Okigwe, Imo State, in which many civilians were slain and several more were reported missing, as further evidence of the deteriorating security situation.
He also cited an Amnesty International report, which warned that the Nigerian government was “emboldening bandits” with its “stunning failure” to safeguard residents.
According to him, Amnesty labelled the week as “a bloody one”, citing various incidents such as the massacre of over 50 worshippers in a mosque in Katsina, the kidnapping of over 60 persons in the same state, and the killing of over 15 farmers in Mangu, Plateau State.
Obi remarked that in just two years of the current administration, armed groups have killed over 10,000 Nigerians in various states.
“Instead of improving security, insecurity has worsened under this administration. Nigeria, which is not even officially at war, has recorded over 10,000 civilian deaths in just two years, a number similar to civilian deaths in Ukraine, which is officially at war,” he said.
The former governor of Anambra State added that the situation demands immediate action, stressing that the primary duty of any government is the protection of lives and property.
“We must now wake up as a nation. The first duty of any government is to secure the lives and property of its people. We must put Nigerian citizens first, stop the politicking, name-calling and gossip, and focus on addressing these real issues. The time to act is now,” Obi stated.
