Obi calls for full-scale war on insecurity

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has called on the Federal Government to declare a full-scale national emergency on insecurity, following a deadly weekend of coordinated attacks across multiple states.

In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, Obi described the killings of civilians and security personnel in Borno, Sokoto, Katsina, and Edo states as a sign that Nigeria is now facing a “full-blown security emergency.”

He referenced specific incidents, including the murder of eight NSCDC officers, the abduction of a Chinese national in Edo, the kidnapping of commuters along the Benin–Iyere–Oluku road, and the killing of five soldiers and 58 civilians in Borno.

“These are not isolated tragedies,” Obi warned. “They are alarming signs that our country is in the grip of chaos. Casualty figures are now rivaling those of countries at war. We can no longer afford business as usual.”

Obi called for an urgent nationwide mobilisation of resources, security agencies, and leadership at all levels to combat the crisis. He also recommended suspending all non-essential foreign trips by government officials until security is restored.

“True leadership must be visible and active at home. Investors will not enter a war zone,” he said.

The former Anambra State governor expressed sympathy for the families of victims and demanded swift justice for those responsible. He warned that unchecked violence could lead to the kind of state collapse witnessed in countries like Somalia and Libya.

“This is a national emergency. The government must act decisively and courageously. The time to lead is now,” Obi concluded.