Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has called on the Nigerian government to declare an all-out war against insecurity, following a recent surge in kidnappings across the country.
In a statement posted on X.com on Saturday, Obi expressed deep concern over the escalating security crisis, urging decisive action. “When I say we should declare war on the economy, power, and insecurity, some people spin the narrative, while others complain. But what else can we do?” Obi wrote.
He highlighted the alarming frequency of kidnappings, noting that in the past 24 hours alone, several incidents had been reported across Nigeria. Among the victims were approximately 20 dental students from Maiduguri and Jos, who were kidnapped in Benue State.
In a particularly shocking incident, an Anambra State Commissioner for Youths Development, Patrick Aghamba, and his wife were abducted while traveling through Edo State. Tragically, an aide accompanying them, identified as Kpajie ABK Offiah, was shot dead by the kidnappers. The commissioner and his wife were reportedly en route to Abuja for the wedding of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s daughter when they were ambushed.
“We cannot continue living like this,” Obi stated emphatically. “It’s time for bold action, collective resolve, and a united front against these challenges.” He called for an immediate and comprehensive response to the insecurity plaguing the nation, urging the government to “declare war on this massive insecurity and other ills that threaten our society.”
Obi’s plea for action comes on the heels of the Anambra State Commissioner’s kidnapping, which has sent shockwaves through the region. The commissioner, appointed by Governor Soludo in 2022, was among 20 commissioners serving in the administration.
The kidnapping occurred just hours after police authorities reported the abduction of about 20 medical students in Benue State. The students, traveling from the northern region to Enugu State, were ambushed by bandits in Otukpo Local Government Area.
According to the Benue State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Sewuese Anene, the students were in a convoy of two buses when they encountered the kidnappers around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday.
These incidents underscore the growing security concerns in Nigeria, prompting widespread calls for the government to take more aggressive measures to protect its citizens.
