BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – Former Governor of Anambra State and Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has described as ‘frightening’ the recent killings in Borno, Edo, Sokoto and Katsina states.
In a tweet on his official X handle on Sunday, Obi said the reported killings across the country indicate that Nigeria is bleeding and needs a declaration of war against insecurity now.
Further expressing his feeling in the tweet, Obi lamented that the incidents were “stark evidence that Nigeria is in the grip of a full-blown security emergency.”
According to him, having over 100 Nigerians killed within a week is unacceptable, noting that the casualty figures rivaled those of countries that are officially at war.
His tweeted message read, “Nigeria Bleeds, Needs a Declaration of War on Insecurity Now.
“Bloody Weekend: Over 100 Killed in Borno, Sokoto, Katsina, Edo.’ This grim headline captures the frightening reality reflected in our weekend papers.
“The killing of eight NSCDC officers, the abduction of a Chinese national in Edo, the kidnapping of passengers on the Benin–Iyere–Oluku road, and the slaughter of five soldiers and 58 civilians in Borno are not isolated tragedies. They are stark evidence that Nigeria is in the grip of a full-blown security emergency.”
The former Anambra State Governor, while extending his condolences to the bereaved families, challenged the government to apprehend and bring to justice the killers and their accomplices who have committed this dastardly act of taking the lives of innocent citizens.
He stated thus, “My deepest condolences go to the families of our fallen heroes. Their courage reminds us that we still have men and women who are willing to risk everything for our safety. Their killers must be swiftly apprehended and brought to justice. Their sacrifices must never be forgotten.”
Urging authorities concerned to “suspend all distractions” and focus on stemming the tide of the insecurity ravaging the country, the LP Presidential candidate said, “When over 100 Nigerians are killed in a single weekend, our casualty figures rival those of countries officially at war. This is no longer business as usual. It is time to declare a national war on insecurity — to mobilise every resource, every agency, every state, and to suspend all distractions while we begin the process of reclaiming our nation from lawlessness.
“Even foreign trips by government officials should be put on hold until the situation is brought under control. True leadership must be seen at home, personally coordinating the war against insecurity.
“Junketing around the world under the pretence of wooing investors, while the country bleeds, is to live in denial. Investors will not come into a war zone.
“No nation can prosper while its citizens live under siege. History shows that insecurity is the quickest path to national collapse — Somalia and Libya stand as painful warnings.
“We must act now, with urgency and courage, to prevent a total descent into anarchy and rebuild Nigeria into a safe, secure, and productive nation for all.
A new Nigeria is POssible. – PO”
Obi’s reaction comes on the heels of reports in the media on suspected Boko Haram terrorists killing dozens of civilians and soldiers at Darul Jamal in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
Similarly, reports from Katsina said bandits also killed six persons and kidnapped over 130 others across communities in Sabuwa Local Government Area of the State within three days of consistent attacks with no response from the security agencies.
Also, tragedy struck on Friday night as gunmen, suspected to be kidnappers, killed eight officials of the Edo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) while abducting a Chinese expatriate at Okpella in Etsako East Local Government Area (LGA) of the State.
