ABUJA — Former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over the rising wave of killings, abductions, and banditry across Nigeria, warning that insecurity has escalated to alarming levels under the current administration.
In a statement issued on Monday, Obi lamented that despite the country not being officially at war, violence and bloodshed have become a daily occurrence nationwide.
“Despite not being at war, the killings, abductions, and banditry incidents in our country continue to be daily and increasing at a worrisome rate,” Obi said.
Citing the recent attack in Okigwe, Imo State — where many residents were killed and others went missing — Obi described the security crisis as worsening by the day. He also referenced Amnesty International’s recent report, which accused the Nigerian government of “emboldening bandits” through its “stunning failure” to protect citizens.
According to him, the human rights watchdog painted a grim picture of the past week, highlighting the massacre of over 50 worshippers in a Katsina mosque, the abduction of more than 60 residents in the same state, and the killing of over 15 farmers in Mangu, Plateau State.
Obi further stressed that the toll of civilian deaths under the current administration rivals that of active war zones.
“In just two years of this administration, over 10,000 Nigerians have been killed by armed groups across various states,” he said. “Nigeria, which is not even officially at war, has recorded over 10,000 civilian deaths — a number similar to civilian deaths in Ukraine, which is officially at war.”
The LP flagbearer urged the government to take urgent and decisive action, stressing that the protection of lives and property remains the foremost responsibility of any administration.
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