Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, , has raised serious concerns about the worsening security situation in Nigeria, describing the country as being “under siege.”
Obi made the statement while reacting to recent violent attacks and abductions reported in several parts of the country, including Borno, Nasarawa, Kogi, Benue, Oyo, Ondo, Kebbi, and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to him, the growing wave of insecurity across the country is becoming unbearable, while the response from political leaders has remained largely silent.
The former Anambra State governor pointed to a recent incident in Ngoshe community in Borno State where terrorists reportedly overpowered soldiers, killing security personnel and several civilians. He said more than 100 women and children were also abducted during the attack.
Obi lamented that the sacrifices made by Nigerian soldiers often go unnoticed, noting that fallen troops deserve greater national recognition.
He expressed hope that the country would one day properly honour its fallen soldiers with dignified burials attended by national leaders and political authorities.
Beyond Borno, Obi highlighted the growing security threats in several states across the North-Central region. He said residents in Nasarawa, Kogi, and Benue have raised alarms about armed groups occupying farms and forests, forcing villagers to flee their communities.
In Nasarawa State, Obi cited reports from the Kadarko area indicating that more than 14,000 residents have been registered as internally displaced persons due to repeated attacks.
He warned that the increasing displacement of rural communities is also affecting farming activities and local economies, worsening hardship for many Nigerians.
The insecurity, he added, is not limited to rural areas alone. Obi also referred to recent incidents in the South-West where travellers were reportedly abducted along the Kishi–Igbeti road in Oyo State during a night attack. Their whereabouts remain unknown.
In Ondo State, he said criminals allegedly attacked innocent citizens, leaving some people injured and abducted.
Obi also drew attention to the situation in Kebbi State, where terrorists have reportedly carried out multiple deadly attacks in recent weeks, killing both security personnel and civilians.
He stressed that the rising violence across different parts of the country shows that the security crisis has become a national emergency.
The former presidential candidate further expressed concern that the wave of attacks has now reached the nation’s capital.
He cited a recent incident in Kubwa, a suburb of Abuja, where about 19 residents were reportedly abducted from their homes, including women and children.
According to him, the attack in the Federal Capital Territory is a worrying sign that insecurity is no longer confined to distant regions but is gradually spreading into major urban centres.
“These are national tragedies happening simultaneously across the country,” Obi said, noting that both civilians and security personnel are being affected.
He argued that the primary responsibility of any government is to protect the lives and property of its citizens.
However, Obi criticised what he described as the silence of the authorities in the face of the growing security challenges.
He accused members of the political class of focusing more on electoral politics than addressing the safety and welfare of Nigerians.
According to him, the current situation should not be treated as ordinary news but as a serious national crisis that demands urgent attention.
Obi called on leaders to demonstrate stronger commitment to protecting citizens and restoring public confidence in the country’s security system.
He stressed that Nigeria needs leadership that prioritises safety, dignity, and hope for its people.
The former governor concluded by urging authorities to take decisive action to tackle insecurity and ensure that communities across the country can live and work without fear.
