Obi demands urgent action over reported mass abduction in Niger

The presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on the Federal Government to take urgent action following reports of mass abduction and killings in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

Obi, in a statement on Thursday, described the reported attacks as an emergency, saying the scale of the alleged abductions and killings should “shake the conscience of every Nigerian” and compel immediate government intervention.

He said residents of communities including Dekara were reportedly attacked, while worshippers were allegedly abducted during Juma’at prayers.

According to Obi, preliminary reports suggested that as many as 600 people, mainly women, children and elderly persons, may have been abducted, although he noted that the exact figure was still being verified.

He also said about 30 people were reportedly 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 said.

The former Anambra State governor urged the government to deploy intelligence-led security operations to rescue those in captivity, secure affected communities and dismantle the networks allegedly responsible for the attacks.

“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 raised concerns over reports that difficult terrain and a collapsed bridge had hampered the initial rescue operation.

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He said the reported infrastructure challenges reinforced his call for greater attention to the repair and maintenance of existing roads and other critical infrastructure, particularly in vulnerable communities.

The NDC presidential candidate urged the government to place the safety of Nigerians above political considerations, warning that lives lost to insecurity could not be recovered.

“Elections will come and go, but the lives of Nigerians cannot be recovered once lost,” Obi said.

He expressed solidarity with the Niger State Government, residents and families affected by the reported attacks, while calling for the immediate rescue of those still in captivity.

Obi said restoring public confidence in the government would require concrete action to protect citizens and ensure that affected communities are no longer left vulnerable to armed attacks.

“We must bring our people home and restore the confidence that government exists to protect them,” he added.