Dalena Reporters l Monday, March 2, 2026
ABUJA — Former 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has sounded the alarm on the worsening state of insecurity across Nigeria, asserting that more than 1,000 citizens have been killed and several thousand abducted in the first two months of 2026 alone. The remarks, made in a social media statement on Sunday, highlight deep frustration over what Obi described as a national crisis that has not received adequate attention from political leaders.
Obi said the scale of violence — spanning bandit attacks, mass shootings, kidnappings and village invasions — now touches over 25 states across all geopolitical zones, including Zamfara, Kwara, Ondo, Kebbi, Benue, Adamawa and Plateau. He argued that the toll of deaths and abductions in just two months rivals casualty figures in countries experiencing formal warfare, despite Nigeria not being at war.
In his post on X (formerly Twitter), Obi criticised political leaders for prioritising manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general elections rather than focusing on urgent measures to protect lives and restore security. “We debate power sharing while citizens are sharing funeral programmes,” he wrote, describing the prevailing political focus as the “politics of zero humanity.”
Obi’s comments reflect a mounting public concern over persistent insecurity that has affected rural and urban areas alike, with repeated reports of attacks on communities, ambushes on travellers and the kidnapping of schoolchildren and villagers. The former Anambra State governor urged authorities to elevate the protection of human life above political interests, arguing that true leadership must prioritise safety and dignity for ordinary Nigerians.
“Leadership is not about winning elections; it is about saving lives,” Obi stated, emphasising that the government’s primary duty is to safeguard citizens rather than engage in electoral strategising amid rising casualties. His remarks contribute to growing pressure on federal and state authorities to intensify efforts against armed groups and criminal networks responsible for widespread violence.
The issue of insecurity — driven by banditry, extremist activity and communal clashes in various regions — has been a persistent challenge for successive governments. Analysts say tackling it requires coordinated security operations, community protection initiatives and sustained political will, particularly as conflict incidents continue to hurt lives, livelihoods and national stability.