The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has raised alarms about the increasing security challenges in Nigeria, particularly the rise in kidnappings and killings.
Obi, in a tweet posted on Thursday, described the situation as worrisome, stating that the pervasive nature of these crimes is causing huge apprehension across the country.
Obi said no one is currently spared from the dangerous wind of many kidnappings and killings blowing through many parts of the nation.
Obi tweeted, “The frequent occurrence of crimes, especially kidnapping, in the country today is worrisome, and it’s causing a lot of apprehension in the land.
“Today, no one is currently spared from the dangerous wind of many kidnappings and killings blowing through many parts of the nation.
“Every Nigerian feels the heat of insecurity, which has continued to affect every aspect of our nation, from the agricultural sector, where farmers are often chased out of their farmlands, to the health and educational sectors, where critical workers are often kidnapped or killed.
“This is exemplified by the constant kidnapping and, sometimes, killing of our farmers, teachers, and lecturers in different schools and universities.”
Obi also referenced the recent kidnappings and killings, such as the tragic death of the manager of the College of Nursing Sciences in Ihiala and the kidnapping of two Reverend Sisters, one a principal and the other a teacher, in Anambra State.
He lamented the loss of these individuals, whom he described as “people contributing immensely to our national development through their sacrifices in farms, educational, and health facilities in different remote villages.”
Obi added that nothing justifies these kidnappings and killings, as well as those of many Nigerians who suffer the same fate daily.
The former governor also called for urgent action from the Nigerian government, urging leaders to mobilise all available resources to combat insecurity and ensure the safe return of victims.
Obi also appealed to criminals involved in such acts, urging them to desist from their evil ways.
“This worrisome situation continues to demand urgent attention from us, the leaders.
“One wonders if the reported cases of kidnapping and killings are this much, then how many go unreported?
“Again, I appeal to the government to employ every security arsenal at its disposal to end this menace and ensure the safe rescue of those in captivity. And to the criminals terrorizing our people, I urge them to have a change of heart and desist from their evil ways.
“We must not burn down our only nation with terror and violence.”
