Insecurity: Nigeria needs leaders committed to protecting human lives – Peter Obi

… mourns Sokoto, Anambra, Adamawa victims

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, again raised concerns over the spate of tragedies in the country, saying that to arrest the trend, Nigerians must shop for a leadership that prioritises the protection of the lives of Nigerians.

Obi, in a reaction on Tuesday, named Anambra, Adamawa and Sokoto as the states where he recorded the latest “heartbreaking tragedies” in the country, noting that the country would hardly make progress if the loss of lives continued to spiral.

“In the last few days, our nation has once again been thrown into mourning by a series of heartbreaking tragedies across Adamawa, Anambra, and Sokoto States. From the killing of innocent worshippers, to the deaths of 7 peaceful women protesters in Adamawa, to the continued attacks by bandits in Sokoto that have claimed the lives of seven more Nigerians, we are confronted with the painful daily reality that insecurity continues to threaten the very soul of our nation.

“No country aspiring to growth, stability, and prosperity can accept this level of violence as normal. I have consistently maintained that security is the foundation upon which every other aspect of national development rests”, Obi wrote in an X post he titled: ‘A Nation of an unending tragedy’.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, called for a more radical approach to tackling insecurity.

He suggested that the authorities must also put measures in place to address the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, unemployment, and weak institutions.

Obi stated further, “Without security, our schools cannot function, our farms cannot thrive, our businesses cannot grow, and our people cannot live with dignity. The tragic killings in Anambra show a failure to protect places of worship and innocent citizens going about their lives.

“The deaths of the women protesters in Adamawa reveal the deep breakdown in trust between citizens and security agencies meant to safeguard them. And the killings in Sokoto demonstrate how banditry and terrorism continue to ravage parts of the North-West despite repeated promises of action. Nigeria cannot continue like this.

“We need leadership that prioritises the protection of every Nigerian life, regardless of region, religion, gender, or social status, and we deserve leaders who would provide justice for innocent citizens who are facing these calamities every day.

“But beyond security, we must also address the deeper roots of instability, poverty, unemployment, weak institutions, and lack of opportunities. A nation where millions are left behind will always struggle with unrest. That is why I continue to emphasise the importance of investing in education, healthcare, and economic empowerment.

“A secure nation is one where citizens are educated, healthy, economically included, and confident that justice will be served when wrongs are committed.

“As we mourn the lives lost, we must also renew our commitment to building a Nigeria where such tragedies become a thing of the past. A Nigeria where leaders lead with empathy, competence, and accountability.

“May the souls of all those we have lost rest in peace. May their families find comfort. And may we, as a nation, find the courage to demand and build a safer, secure, and more united Nigeria.”

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