ABUJA — Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has described the reported mass abduction of residents in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State as “one case too many”, calling on the Federal Government to urgently rescue those still in captivity.
Obi raised the alarm in a statement posted on his X platform on Thursday, expressing concern over reports of attacks on communities including Dekara and the abduction of worshippers during Juma’at prayers.
He said reports indicated that as many as 600 people, mostly women, children and elderly persons, might have been abducted, while about 30 others were reportedly killed. He, however, noted that the figures were still being verified.
“This is one case too many,” Obi said, describing the reported attacks as a situation that should “shake the conscience of every Nigerian and compel urgent action from government.”
He condemned the reported abduction of worshippers in broad daylight, saying Nigerians should not be left vulnerable to attacks in their communities and places of worship.
According to him, the government must treat the situation as an emergency and deploy sufficient security resources to rescue the victims, secure the affected communities and dismantle the criminal networks operating in the area.
“Government must treat this as an emergency: deploy overwhelming intelligence-led security operations, rescue every person in captivity, secure the affected communities and dismantle the networks and enclaves enabling these terrorists to operate,” he said.
Obi also criticised what he described as the increasing preoccupation of the political class with the 2027 elections at a time when Nigerians were facing insecurity.
“Our people are being left vulnerable while the political class appears increasingly consumed by the next election,” he said.
“Elections will come and go, but the lives of Nigerians cannot be recovered once lost.”
The former Anambra State governor also drew attention to the infrastructure challenges affecting security operations in the area.
He said reports that difficult terrain and a collapsed bridge had hampered the initial rescue response reinforced his longstanding position that government should prioritise the rehabilitation of existing infrastructure.
“The Police complain that difficult terrain and a collapsed bridge hampered the initial rescue response in Borgu, which supports my consistent plea to concentrate on repairs of existing infrastructure,” he said.
Obi expressed solidarity with the Niger State Government, residents of the affected communities and families of those abducted and killed.
“I stand with the Niger State Government, the good people of Niger State and the families of those abducted and killed. We must bring our people home and restore the confidence that government exists to protect them,” he said.
The reported mass abduction has triggered renewed calls for intensified security operations in the Borgu area. President Bola Tinubu has also directed security agencies to launch an immediate rescue operation and provide updates on efforts to account for and recover those abducted.
Obi concluded by expressing optimism about Nigeria’s future, saying: “A New Nigeria is POssible, and Nigeria will be OK.”
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