Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised the Federal Government (FG) over what he described as its inadequate response to Nigeria’s worsening security crisis, saying the country was effectively “under siege”.
In a statement posted on his X page on Monday, Obi lamented what he called an “unbearable” wave of insecurity after a series of deadly attacks across several parts of the country within the first week of March.
He said both citizens and security personnel had increasingly been left vulnerable to the activities of terrorists.
The former governor of Anambra State highlighted several disturbing incidents that, according to him, illustrated the scale and coordination of the violence.
In Borno State, Obi said terrorists reportedly overran military positions in Ngoshe community, killing soldiers and civilians while abducting more than 100 women and children during the raid.
He also noted that the violence had reached the Federal Capital Territory.
According to him, gunmen abducted 19 residents, including women and children, from their homes in the Byazhin area of Kubwa, within Abuja.
Although the Nigerian Army later confirmed that troops rescued the victims on 8 March, Obi stressed that the incident exposed the audacity of the attackers.
In Nasarawa State, he said the humanitarian situation had worsened, with at least 14,318 people registered as internally displaced persons in the Kadarko area.
READ ALSO
Obi further stated that residents across Kogi State, Benue State and Nasarawa reported that terrorists had taken over forests and farmlands, forcing farmers to abandon their livelihoods and triggering large-scale displacement.
He also cited cases of abduction along the Kishi–Igbeti road in Oyo State, violent attacks in Ondo State, and another deadly assault in Kebbi State that reportedly killed both civilians and security officers.
Obi expressed concern over what he described as the political class’s indifference to the deteriorating security situation.
He criticised the FG for maintaining what he called a “dead silence” while Nigerians continued to suffer.
He argued that many political leaders appeared more focused on the next election cycle than on their constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property.
“The sacrifice of our brave and dedicated soldiers is often passed in silence,” Obi said, adding that fallen troops deserved dignified burials attended and honoured by the nation’s leaders.
He maintained that the incidents represented more than routine news events, describing them as national tragedies that required urgent and committed leadership.
Obi warned that excessive focus on political survival risked creating a dangerous vacuum in national security and governance.
“Nigerians deserve leadership that prioritises their safety and welfare above all else,” he said.
