Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate Peter Obi has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in response to the reported mass abduction and killing of residents in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
In a statement on Thursday, Obi described the incident as one that “should shake the conscience of every Nigerian” and demanded urgent, intelligence-led security operations.
Obi said reports indicated that communities including Dekara were attacked, and worshippers were abducted during Juma’at prayers.
“I am deeply disturbed by the reports of the mass abduction of Nigerians in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, following attacks on communities including Dekara and the abduction of worshippers during Juma’at prayers,” he said.
According to the statement, as many as 600 people, mostly women, children and elderly persons, may have been abducted. The exact figure is still being verified.
About 30 people are also reported to have been killed in the attacks.
“This is one case too many. The fact that Nigerians can be attacked in broad daylight, in their place of worship, abducted in such numbers and taken into the forests should shake the conscience of every Nigerian and compel urgent action from government,” Obi stated.
The former Anambra governor urged government to act immediately.
“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 linked the delay in initial rescue response to poor infrastructure. He noted that the Police cited difficult terrain and a collapsed bridge as reasons for the setback.
“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 added.
Obi called on authorities to prioritize citizen safety over politics.
“Elections will come and go, but the lives of Nigerians cannot be recovered once lost,” he warned.
He expressed solidarity with the Niger State Government and families of victims, urging authorities to “bring our people home and restore the confidence that government exists to protect them.”
