Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has sharply criticized the Nigerian government’s handling of the insecurity across the country, accusing leaders of prioritizing political maneuvering for the 2027 elections over the safety of citizens.
In a series of statements posted on X (formerly Twitter), Obi highlighted a wave of recent attacks that have claimed lives, displaced communities, and abducted hundreds, describing the situation as a national siege and urging a shift toward leadership that puts safety and welfare first.
Obi’s remarks come amid reports of violent incidents in multiple states, which he argues underscore the government’s dead silence on the crisis.
Our nation is clearly under siege, and the scale of insecurity is becoming unbearable, spreading widely all over the country, Obi stated in one post, expressing ideas from his more general criticism of governmental objectives.
He emphasized that while politicians focus on snatching, grabbing, and running away with the next election, ordinary Nigerians face daily threats to their lives and livelihoods.
Obi detailed several incidents from early March 2026, drawing attention to the human cost and the government’s perceived inaction.
In Borno State’s Ngoshe community, on March 4, suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP militants launched a coordinated assault on a military base and an IDP camp in Gwoza Local Government Area, resulting in the deaths of soldiers and civilians, with reports of over 100 women and children abducted, some estimates placing the figure as high as 300.
Videos circulating online showed the militants displaying captured villagers, prompting widespread horror. President Bola Tinubu condemned the attack, expressing sorrow over the losses, while the Nigerian Air Force conducted airstrikes that neutralized around 50 terrorists.
Obi lamented the horrific nature of the assault and called for decisive action to protect vulnerable communities.
In the North-Central region, including Nasarawa, Kogi, and Benue, Obi pointed to the infiltration of terrorists into farms and forests, disrupting agriculture and forcing villages to flee.
In Nasarawa’s Kadarko area alone, 14,318 civilians have been registered as internally displaced persons (IDPs) due to ongoing banditry. Residents have reported armed groups using the region as transit points for attacks into neighboring Benue. Obi stressed that these disruptions are crippling economic activities in an already strained region.
Further south, in Oyo State, travelers were abducted in a nighttime ambush along the Kishi-Igbeti road in early March, with police confirming the kidnapping of four passengers from a commercial bus, though unverified reports suggested up to seven victims.
All were later rescued through a coordinated security operation, with manhunts ongoing for the perpetrators. Obi described the incident as part of a broader pattern of abductions plaguing southern states.
In Ondo State, criminals carried out shootings, abductions, and assaults on citizens, including a case where gunmen abducted a woman and shot her husband in the Pelebe area. Police arrested four suspects linked to a separate fatal attack in Ilu-Abo, recovering N1.4 million in ransom.
The state government has ordered crackdowns on kidnapping syndicates, amid revelations of local collaborators.
In Kebbi State, terrorists identified as members of the Lakurawa group conducted multiple rampages, marking the third deadly attack in March, with incidents including killings in mosques and villages, at least 30 deaths, and seven villages destroyed in one raid.
Obi highlighted the surge as evidence of insecurity spreading unchecked in the northwest. Even in the Federal Capital Territory, in Kubwa, Abuja, about 19 residents, including women and children, were abducted from their homes in the Byazhi area on March 3. Troops from the Guards Brigade, alongside police and vigilantes, rescued all victims in a subsequent operation, neutralizing one suspect. Obi called this a grim reminder that insecurity is now the norm even in the capital.
These events align with Obi’s broader claim that over 1,000 Nigerians were killed and thousands abducted in the first two months of 2026 alone, spanning more than 25 states.
He argued that such violence rivals that in war-torn countries yet receives inadequate attention from leaders.
The Tinubu administration has responded to some incidents, including airstrikes in Borno and rescues in Oyo and Abuja. In Kebbi, police repelled attacks, though casualties persist.
Nationally, Nigeria has sought U.S. assistance in counterterrorism, emphasizing respect for sovereignty amid joint airstrikes against Islamist groups. However, Obi and Amnesty International argue that more must be done to prosecute perpetrators and protect all citizens, regardless of faith.
Experts note that Nigeria’s insecurity stems from a mix of jihadist insurgencies, banditry, resource conflicts, and governance failures, with the military overstretched across regions.
Recent U.S. involvement, including airstrikes, has drawn mixed reactions, with some welcoming it as necessary while others warn of sovereignty risks.
Obi concluded his statements by honoring fallen soldiers and calling for dignified burials and national recognition.
“The primary responsibility of any government is to secure lives and property,” he said.
A New Nigeria is Possible. His comments have sparked debates on social media, with supporters praising his focus on human welfare and detractors accusing him of politicizing security issues.