Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party(LP), has expressed concern over the spate of gunmen attacks across thecountry. In a statement on Sunday, Obi, who was reacting to reportedbandit attacks in parts of Kogi and Kwara states, described the country’sinsecurity situation as a “national emergency”. The former Anambra governor said the incidents are“senseless and heartbreaking”, adding that no nation should normalise theroutine killing of its citizens. “I am deeply disturbed by the tragic reports of yet anothersenseless attack in Kogi State’s Yagba West Local Government Area, where over27 innocent Nigerians were killed by armed bandits,” Obi wrote on X. “The images are heartbreaking. My thoughts and prayers arewith the victims, their families, and the entire people of Kogi state. “This comes as reports from neighbouring Kwara state saythat nine of its 16 local government areas are under siege by bandits who nowdemand food and drink as ransom. “The nine local government areas under bandit controlinclude Baruten, Edu, Ekiti, Ifelodun, Isin, Kaiama, Oke-Ero, Patigi andIrepodun. “The security situation is now a national emergency. It isdeeply troubling that insecurity has become a normal occurrence in our nation,where our citizens die daily at rates higher than in some war zones. This isnot normal. “Our citizens cannot sleep in their own homes in peace, ourfarmers are being driven away from their lands by bandits, our children areliving in fear of being attacked, and our nation continues to bleed. “Leadership must be about protecting lives and property, themost basic duty of any government.” The ex-presidential candidate also prayed for the victims’eternal rest, solace for their bereaved families, and divine wisdom for leadersto safeguard the lives of all Nigerians.
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