The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last election, Peter Obi, has voiced serious concerns about the increasing insecurity in Nigeria, particularly the rise in kidnappings and killings.
He emphasized that the safety of Nigerians is increasingly at risk, as the nation grapples with rising criminal activities.
Obi’s remarks come in response to recent abductions and murders, including the kidnapping of two Catholic reverend sisters by armed gunmen. The sisters were abducted on Tuesday along Ufuma Road in the Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The former governor of Anambra State also condemned the killing of the Manager of the College of Nursing Sciences in Ihiala, describing the current state of insecurity as alarming and widespread. He pointed out that no one is safe from the rampant violence affecting all parts of the country.
Obi stressed that the growing insecurity is impacting several vital sectors, including agriculture, education, and healthcare. He noted that farmers are often forced off their land, while teachers, lecturers, and other essential workers in the education and health sectors are frequently kidnapped or killed.
He highlighted the recent murder of the Manager of the College of Nursing Sciences and the abduction of the two reverend sisters, who he said were serving their communities in critical areas like education and healthcare. Obi condemned these acts of violence, stating that nothing can justify the targeting of those contributing to national development, especially in remote areas.
The former governor warned that the continuing rise in kidnappings and killings demands immediate attention from the government. He expressed concern over the number of unreported incidents and urged the authorities to take decisive action to protect Nigerians.
Obi called on the government to mobilize all necessary security resources to end the ongoing crisis and ensure the safe return of those currently in captivity.
He said, “no one is currently spared from the dangerous wind of many kidnappings and killings blowing through many parts of the nation”.
“Every Nigerian feels the heat of insecurity, which has continued to affect every aspect of our nation, from the agricultural sector, where farmers are often chased out of their farmlands, to the health and educational sectors, where critical workers are often kidnapped or killed.
“This is exemplified by the constant kidnapping and, sometimes, killing of our farmers, teachers and lecturers in different schools and universities.
“Just recently, the Manager of the College of Nursing Sciences, Ihiala, was killed. Yesterday, 2 Reverend Sisters, one a Principal and the other a teacher who works in our different schools in Anambra state were again kidnapped.
“These are people contributing immensely to our national development through their sacrifices in farms, educational and health facilities in different remote villages. Nothing justifies these kidnaps, and killings, as well as those of many Nigerians who suffer the same fate daily.
“This worrisome situation continues to demand urgent attention from us, the leaders. One wonders if the reported cases of kidnapping and killings are this much, then how many go unreported?
“Again, I appeal to the government to employ every security arsenal at its disposal to end this menace and ensure the safe rescue of those in captivity,” Obi added.
