Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticized Nigeria’s political leadership for focusing on the next election while insecurity continues to spread across the country.
Obi made the remarks in a statement released Monday on his social media accounts, expressing concern over recent attacks in several parts of the country and their impact on civilians and security personnel.
“Our nation is clearly under siege, and the scale of insecurity is becoming unbearable, spreading widely all over the country,” he said.
Obi cited a recent attack on Ngoshe community in Borno State, where terrorists reportedly overpowered soldiers, killing some of them and several residents while abducting women and children.
“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,” Obi said.
He also said the sacrifices of security personnel often go unrecognized.
“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.
Obi pointed to other reports of insecurity in Nasarawa State, Kogi State and Benue State, where he said residents had complained that armed groups were occupying farms and forests, disrupting economic activities and forcing villagers to flee.
“In Nasarawa’s Kadarko area alone, 14,318 civilians are now registered as internally displaced persons,” he said.
The former governor of Anambra State also cited cases of abductions and attacks in Oyo State and Ondo State, as well as violent incidents in Kebbi State involving both civilians and security personnel.
He further expressed concern that insecurity had spread to the nation’s capital, referring to a reported abduction in Kubwa, a suburb of Abuja.
“The wave of terror has now brazenly crept into our nation’s capital. The attack in Kubwa, Abuja, just this week saw about 19 citizens abducted from their homes, including women and children,” Obi said, describing the situation as “a grim reminder that insecurity is no longer distant but now a norm.”
Obi accused members of the political class of paying insufficient attention to the crisis.
“The ruling class are instead devastatingly more preoccupied with how to snatch, grab and run away with the next election,” he said, adding that Nigerians deserve leadership that prioritizes safety and welfare.
“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,” he added.
Meanwhile, the governor of Borno State, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Friday mourned residents killed in the recent attack on Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area and assured that efforts were ongoing to rescue those abducted.
Zulum gave the assurance while addressing members of the affected community in Pulka during a visit to sympathize with families of the victims following the attack.
The assault, reported to have occurred last Wednesday night, left several residents dead and many others abducted, underscoring ongoing security challenges in parts of the country.
