Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, issued a stark warning on January 8, 2025, regarding the alarming increase in criminal activities, particularly kidnappings, across Nigeria.
He described the situation as one that instills significant fear and anxiety among the populace.
Obi highlighted that the scourge of kidnapping and murder has become indiscriminate, affecting all segments of Nigerian society. He noted, “Today, no one is currently spared from the dangerous wind of many kidnappings and killings blowing through many parts of the nation.”
The insecurity, he pointed out, has permeated every sector, notably affecting agriculture, health, and education. Farmers are frequently driven from their lands, while educators and health workers face the peril of abduction or worse.
Recent tragic events underline this crisis: the Manager of the College of Nursing Sciences in Ihiala was killed, and just the day before, two Reverend Sisters, one a Principal and the other a teacher, were kidnapped in Anambra State. These individuals, Obi stressed, are vital to the nation’s development, contributing through their work in remote areas.
Obi condemned these acts, stating, “Nothing justifies these kidnaps, killings, as well as those of many Nigerians who suffer the same fate daily.” He questioned the scale of unreported incidents, suggesting that the known cases might only be the tip of the iceberg.
Urging immediate governmental action, Obi called for the deployment of all available security resources to combat this menace and secure the release of those held captive. He also made a direct appeal to the perpetrators, imploring them to reconsider their actions and cease their criminal activities.
In conclusion, Obi warned against the destruction of the nation through terror and violence, emphasizing the need for collective resolve to restore peace and security.
