Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticised Nigeria’s political leadership for focusing on the next election while insecurity continues to spread across the country.
Obi stated this in a statement released on Monday via his official social media account.
He expressed concern over recent attacks in several parts of the country and the impact on civilians and security personnel.
According to him, the country is “clearly under siege,” with the scale of insecurity becoming increasingly unbearable.
“Our nation is clearly under siege, and the scale of insecurity is becoming unbearable, spreading widely all over the country,” he said.
He cited the 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, adding that the sacrifices of soldiers were often overlooked.
“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 added.
Obi also pointed to reports of insecurity in other states including Nasarawa State, Kogi State and Benue State, where he said residents had complained that terrorists 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 stated.
The former Anambra State governor further cited cases of abductions and attacks in Oyo State and Ondo State, as well as violent incidents in Kebbi State where he said terrorists had carried out deadly attacks on security personnel and civilians.
He also expressed concern that insecurity had reportedly spread to the nation’s capital, citing the abduction of residents in Kubwa, 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.”
He accused 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 prioritises 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,” Obi added.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Umara Zulum, last Friday mourned residents killed in the recent Boko Haram 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 sympathise 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, highlighting continuing security challenges in parts of the country.
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