By Taiwo Scholarstica
Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed concern over the reported mass abduction of residents in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, calling on the Federal Government to treat the incident as an emergency.
Obi, in a statement, said he was deeply disturbed by reports of attacks on communities, including Dekara, as well as the alleged abduction of worshippers during Juma’at prayers.
According to him, as many as 600 people, mainly women, children and elderly persons, may have been abducted, although he noted that the actual figure was still being verified.
He also expressed concern over reports that about 30 people may have been killed during the attacks.
“This is one case too many,” Obi said, stressing that the scale of the reported incident should prompt immediate action from the authorities.
The former governor said the alleged attack demonstrated the growing vulnerability of Nigerians in communities affected by insecurity.
“The fact that Nigerians can be attacked in broad daylight, in their place of worship, abducted in such numbers and taken into the forests should shake the conscience of every Nigerian and compel urgent action from government,” he said.
Obi criticised what he described as the increasing focus of politicians on the next election while Nigerians continue to face security threats.
“Our people are being left vulnerable while the political class appears increasingly consumed by the next election,” he said.
He added that political activities should not take priority over the protection of human lives, noting that elections could be held again, but lives lost to insecurity could not be restored.
“Elections will come and go, but the lives of Nigerians cannot be recovered once lost,” Obi stated.
He called on the government to intensify security operations in Borgu and ensure the safe return of those reportedly taken into captivity.
According to him, the response should involve intelligence-led operations, the protection of affected communities and the dismantling of criminal networks allegedly responsible for attacks and abductions.
“Government must treat this as an emergency: deploy overwhelming intelligence-led security operations, rescue every person in captivity, secure the affected communities and dismantle the networks and enclaves enabling these terrorists to operate,” he said.
Obi also drew attention to infrastructure challenges reportedly encountered by security personnel during the initial response to the incident.
He said reports that difficult terrain and a collapsed bridge hampered rescue efforts reinforced his call for greater attention to existing infrastructure across the country.
“The Police complain that difficult terrain and a collapsed bridge hampered the initial rescue response in Borgu, which supports my consistent plea to concentrate on repairs of existing infrastructure,” he said.
The Labour Party presidential candidate expressed solidarity with the Niger State Government, residents of the affected communities and families who may have lost loved ones or have relatives in captivity.
“I stand with the Niger State Government, the good people of Niger State and the families of those abducted and killed,” Obi said.
He stressed the need for government to restore public confidence by ensuring that citizens can live and worship without fear.
“We must bring our people home and restore the confidence that government exists to protect them,” he added.
Obi concluded by renewing his optimism about the country, saying, “A New Nigeria is POssible, and Nigeria will be OK.”
He urged the government to act swiftly to rescue the abducted victims, secure vulnerable communities and reassure Nigerians that their safety remains its foremost responsibility.