Obi: Nigeria must declare national war on insecurity after ‘bloody weekend’

Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has called for what he described as a “national war” against insecurity, following a spate of killings and abductions across the country.

In a post on Monday, Obi described the past weekend as “bloody,” citing the deaths of over 100 Nigerians in Borno, Sokoto, Katsina, and Edo states.

Among the victims, he said, were eight officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), five soldiers, and dozens of civilians.

He also noted the abduction of a Chinese national in Edo state and the kidnapping of passengers along the Benin–Iyere–Oluku roads.

“These are not isolated tragedies. They are stark evidence that Nigeria is in the grip of a full-blown security emergency. I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the fallen, also, I commend the courage of security personnel who risk their lives daily for the nation,” Obi said.

‘Casualty Figures Rival Those of Countries at War’

Obi warned that the casualty figures are similar to those of countries officially at war, insisting that the federal government must respond decisively.

“The casualty figures rival those of countries officially at war, arguing these ugly trend requires immediate and decisive action. 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,” he said.

The former governor of Anambra state also criticised government officials for prioritising foreign trips over domestic security.

“True leadership must be seen at home, personally, coordinating the war against insecurity. Investors will not come into a war zone,” he said.

Obi drew parallels with Somalia and Libya, warning that no nation can prosper under siege.

“With an urgent call to action, 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,” he said.