Amidst rising insecurity and economic difficulties in the country, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has issued a call to action.
Highlighting recent incidents of kidnappings, such as the abduction of medical students in Benue and a state commissioner and his wife in Edo, Obi emphasized the need to “declare war on this extensive insecurity.”
Issuing a statement on X.com on Saturday, Obi expressed, “When I advocate for a declaration of war on the economy, power, and insecurity, some individuals twist the narrative, while others simply complain. However, what other options do we have?
“Within the past 24 hours, numerous individuals have been abducted across Nigeria, including approximately 20 dental students from Maiduguri and Jos in Benue State.
“A commissioner from Anambra State and his wife were taken hostage in Edo State, with others accompanying them losing their lives. These are just a few examples of the numerous tragic incidents transpiring throughout the country.”
The former Governor of Anambra State thus called for a unified effort to combat the challenges confronting the nation.
“We cannot persist in living under these conditions,” Obi stressed. “The time has come for decisive action, collective determination, and a unified front against these challenges.”
“We must wage war against this extensive insecurity and other societal ills that jeopardize our well-being, and strive diligently to construct a safer, more prosperous, and fairer society for all,” he emphasized.
PUNCH Online divulged on Friday that over 20 medical and dental students, as well as a house officer, were seized by gunmen in Benue State.
Reports indicated that the students were en route to the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students annual convention in Enugu when they were ambushed around 5.30 pm in the Otukpo region.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Youths Development in Anambra State, Patrick Aghamba, and his spouse were reportedly abducted in Edo State while traveling to Abuja on Friday.