The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has lamented that Nigeria is gradually losing count of citizens killed due to banditry, terrorism and other forms of insecurity in the country.
Obi spoke in reaction on Sunday on his X handle to last weeks’ attack by gunmen who killed three kidnapped Supersport Television crew members in Anambra State while they were journeying to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State to broadcast the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between Nigeria and Libya.
The crew members were ambushed along Ihiala-Orlu Road on Tuesday while travelling from Lagos State to Uyo, with 14 of the persons in the vehicle. Eight were rescued, two escaped, three were killed and one unaccounted for.
Obi, however, said that the never-ending incidents of killings, kidnappings and other violent crimes across the country have continued to be of concern to many.
“The situation has continued unabated and is worse by the day. We are gradually losing count of the people who have lost their lives to insecurity in our nation. Non-state actors have continued to inflict pain and sorrow on families whose loved ones are often kidnapped and sometimes killed in gruesome manners.
“In particular, I condemn, in totality, the unfortunate killing of some crew members of Supersports TV, who were attacked in a tragic ambush along the Ihiala-Orlu Road, Anambra State, a few days ago,” Obi said.
He also lamented that two days ago, some persons were reportedly killed while others were injured in a terror attack by criminals in the Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
Obi said: “These violent attacks, many of which go unreported, have now continued to define our daily existence in our once-secured nation. How much longer do we allow our people to die before we decide enough is enough?
“I condole with the families who have lost dear ones to these recent attacks while praying for eternal rest on the dead and quick recovery for the injured. We are all in this together as a nation and will continue to demand for the security of lives and property of every Nigerian.”
…Condoles Makrfi, Kyari, Tallen over children’s deaths
In an earlier message on X, on Sunday, Obi condoled former Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Makarfi and Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Limited, Mele Kolo Kyari; and former Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, over the deaths of their children; Faisal Makarfi, Fatima Kyari and Richard Adamu Tallen respectively.
“My heartfelt condolences go to all of them, one can only imagine the pain of losing children with very promising future at such young age.
“The vacuum created by their death will surely be felt in all the families, but we can only accept the painful incidents as the will of the Almighty, who alone has the power of life.
“May God Almighty, who called them home at this time, forgive their sins and grant them Aljanna Firdausi. May God continue to protect and bless the Makarfi, Kyari, and the Tallen families, always,” Obi said.
