Obi Raises Alarm Over Rising Killings, Says Nigeria “Bleeding Like a War Zone”

Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has expressed grave concern over the escalating insecurity in Nigeria, warning that the country is “bleeding at a scale comparable to nations officially at war.”

In a statement on Monday, Obi condemned the recent attack in Okigwe, Imo State, which left several people dead and others missing. He described the incident as another grim reminder of the “alarming reality of insecurity confronting Nigerians daily.”

Quoting a weekend report by Amnesty International, Obi noted that the rights organisation accused the Federal Government of “emboldening bandits” by failing to safeguard citizens. Amnesty documented multiple attacks within one week, including the massacre of over 50 worshippers in a Katsina mosque, the abduction of more than 60 people in the same state, and the killing of at least 15 farmers in Mangu, Plateau State, which displaced more than 200 families.

“Amnesty International revealed that in just two years of this administration, over 10,000 Nigerians have been killed by armed groups. Instead of improving security, the situation has worsened, with new armed gangs emerging,” Obi stated.

Comparing Nigeria’s crisis to that of Ukraine, which is under a full-scale invasion, Obi lamented:
“In two years, Nigeria’s insecurity crisis has taken almost as many civilian lives as a country under open warfare.”

He urged political leaders to put aside “petty politicking and squabbles” and focus on protecting lives and property, which he described as the foremost duty of any government.

“We must wake up as a nation. This should concern all of us who claim to be politicians and leaders. We must put Nigerians first, stop the gossip and name-calling, and focus on addressing these real issues. The time to act is now,” he charged.

Reiterating his message of hope, Obi concluded: “A New Nigeria is POssible.”