Peter Obi condemns weekend violence, calls for immediate national response to security crisis

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has expressed deep alarm over the recent surge of deadly attacks across Borno, Edo, Sokoto, and Katsina states. Speaking on Sunday via his official X account, Obi raised the alarm on Nigeria’s escalating security challenges.

The weekend witnessed horrific violence including the massacre of numerous civilians and soldiers, increasing fears that the nation faces a severe emergency. In Borno State, suspected Boko Haram militants claimed dozens of lives in Darul Jamal, Bama Local Government Area. At the same time, Katsina recorded several assaults where bandits killed multiple people and kidnapped over 130 in Sabuwa.

In the south, Dawn Herald reported that Edo State last week bore the brunt of coordinated attacks when gunmen ambushed security officers, leaving eight dead and a Chinese expatriate abducted near Okpella in Etsako East. These killing episodes depict the deteriorating law and order throughout the country.

Obi described these disturbing events as “clear proof of Nigeria’s plunge into a grave security crisis”, emphasizing the staggering death toll as rivaling nations actively engaged in warfare. He lamented the loss of individuals risking their lives for public safety and urged swift justice against the perpetrators.

Obi added that foreign investors will avoid unstable conflict zones and that true leaders must prioritize security at home before seeking external support.

Obi called for a resolute national campaign against criminality and urged bold leadership to reclaim the country from chaos. He said that survival depends on the government’s urgency and bravery to tackle insecurity head-on.