Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, voiced his distress over the escalating security challenges prevailing in Nigeria and advocated for swift action to liberate the remaining Chibok girls still in captivity.
In a statement, the former Anambra governor expressed dismay that the 276 schoolgirls abducted in April 2014 continue to endure various traumatic ordeals at the hands of their kidnappers.
Reflecting on the situation, Obi lamented, “It is disheartening that a decade has passed since the unfortunate abduction of over 250 young girls from Chibok in Borno State, and 91 of them are still held captive.”
Highlighting the deteriorating security landscape across the nation, Obi remarked, “The worsening state of insecurity in the country is a cause for concern, with virtually every region grappling with distinct security threats.”
Obi emphasized the poignant reality that the 91 girls still in captivity raise serious questions about the leadership’s compassion, stating, “The prolonged captivity of these young girls from diverse families is a tragic testament to our inability to rescue them from their abductors.”
Addressing the grim statistics, he pointed out, “Over the past decade, our security situation has significantly deteriorated, propelling Nigeria to rank among the top terrorized nations in Africa and the 10th most perilous countries globally.”
Citing findings from a report by SBM Intelligence, Obi disclosed, “Nigeria has witnessed 735 mass abductions since 2019, with 3,620 individuals abducted in 582 kidnapping incidents between July 2022 and June 2023, involving ransom payouts nearing 5 billion naira ($3,878,390). In the initial quarter of 2024 alone, almost one thousand Nigerians fell victim to kidnappings.”
Characterizing the situation as heart-rending, Obi stressed the imperative for all patriotic Nigerians to be alarmed, asserting, “Insecurity in any part of the country constitutes a threat to the security of the entire nation.”
Appealing to the authorities and security agencies, Obi urged, “Efforts must be intensified to secure the release of the remaining Chibok girls from their protracted decade-long captivity and facilitate their reunion with their families.”
Notably, on Thursday, troops of the Nigerian Army stationed in the North-East successfully rescued Lydia Simon, one of the abducted students from Chibok Secondary School, along with her three children during Operation Desert Sanity III.