Following a bloody weekend that saw over 100 Nigerians killed in coordinated attacks across Borno, Sokoto, Katsina, and Edo states, former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on the Federal Government to declare a “national war” on insecurity.

 

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Obi warned that the scale of violence now mirrors the casualty levels of nations in active war zones, saying the time for rhetoric is over and decisive national mobilisation is needed.

 

“Bloody Weekend: over 100 Killed in Borno, Sokoto, Katsina, Edo. This grim headline captures the frightening reality reflected in our weekend papers,” Obi wrote.

 

Among the tragedies, Obi cited:

• The killing of eight NSCDC officers

• The abduction of a Chinese national in Edo

• The kidnapping of passengers along the Benin–Iyere–Oluku road

• The murder of five soldiers and 58 civilians in Borno State

 

“These are not isolated incidents,” Obi stressed. “They are evidence of a full-blown security emergency. When over 100 people are killed in a single weekend, our casualty figures are comparable to war-torn nations.”

Obi called on the government to mobilise every available resource, agency, and state to fight insecurity, saying:

 

“It is time to declare a national war on insecurity — to suspend all distractions, including foreign trips, and focus on reclaiming our nation from lawlessness.”

 

He insisted that government officials should remain in the country, coordinate efforts from the ground, and stop “junketing around the world under the pretence of wooing investors, while the country bleeds.”

 

“True leadership must be seen at home… Investors will not come into a war zone.”

Drawing on global examples, Obi warned that Somalia and Libya are reminders of what happens when insecurity spirals unchecked.

 

“No nation can prosper while its citizens live under siege. Insecurity is the fastest path to national collapse.”

Obi expressed condolences to the families of security personnel and civilians killed, referring to them as “our fallen heroes.”

 

“Their courage reminds us that we still have men and women willing to risk everything for our safety. Their killers must be swiftly apprehended and brought to justice.”

Obi’s statement is one of the most direct rebukes of the Federal Government’s handling of national security in recent months. His remarks come amid growing public frustration over persistent killings, abductions, and the inability of authorities to decisively stem the tide.

 

“We must act now, with urgency and courage, to prevent a total descent into anarchy and rebuild Nigeria into a safe, secure, and productive nation for all,” Obi concluded.

The weekend’s attacks included insurgent ambushes, bandit raids, and kidnappings that left a trail of devastation across several states. While government security agencies have vowed to respond, critics say the official reaction has remained slow, underwhelming, and fragmented.

 

As the death toll mounts, pressure is increasing on the Tinubu administration to adopt a new and more aggressive security doctrine — one that prioritises immediate response, intelligence coordination, and visible leadership.