Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate in Nigeria, has called on the Federal Government to declare war on insecurity. This comes after reports emerged of over 100 people being killed in violent attacks across Borno, Sokoto, Katsina, and Edo states over the weekend. Obi made the statement on his social media platform, reacting to the killings and abductions that took place in various parts of the country.

The former governor of Anambra expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims, including the eight officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) who were killed, as well as the families of the five soldiers and 58 civilians who lost their lives in Borno. He emphasized that the killers must be apprehended and brought to justice, and that their sacrifices should not be forgotten.

Obi noted that the high number of casualties in Nigeria is comparable to those of countries officially at war. He stressed that it is time for the government to mobilize all resources, agencies, and states to tackle the issue of insecurity, which he described as a full-blown security emergency. The former governor warned that no nation can prosper when its citizens live under siege, citing Somalia and Libya as examples of countries that have suffered from insecurity and ultimately descended into anarchy.

The recent attacks have highlighted the need for urgent action to address the security challenges facing Nigeria. With the country’s security forces already overstretched, the government will need to develop a comprehensive strategy to tackle the root causes of insecurity and restore safety and security to all parts of the country. Obi’s call for a national war on insecurity is a stark reminder of the need for swift and decisive action to prevent further loss of life and to rebuild Nigeria into a safe, secure, and productive nation for all its citizens.

The Nigerian government has yet to respond to Obi’s call, but it is clear that the issue of insecurity will continue to be a major challenge for the country in the coming months and years. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen what steps the government will take to address the security emergency and ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians.