‘It’s A Major Failure For The Nation’, Peter Obi Reacts To Kwara Massacre

Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi, has condemned the recent wave of killings in Kwara State, describing the massacre as devastating and a major failure for the nation.

In a post shared on X on Thursday, Obi expressed sorrow over reports that armed assailants killed about 150 residents in communities, including Woro and Nuku in Kaiama LGA of Kwara State. He extended his sympathies to the bereaved families, as well as the government and people of Kwara State.

“Every loss of innocent life is tragic, and these killings represent a major failure for us as a nation,” he wrote.

The former governor of Anambra State noted that the persistent violence across Nigeria highlighted the urgent need to decisively tackle insecurity, cautioning that the country’s security challenges have deteriorated beyond levels witnessed in some nations experiencing armed conflict.

“These recurring acts of violence across our country – now worse than what occurs in some countries at war – underscore the urgent need for us, as a nation, to declare war on insecurity of lives and property and to deploy every possible means to end this scourge,” Obi stated.

He called on relevant authorities to take immediate and decisive steps to restore calm, ensure those responsible are held accountable, and reassure citizens that their safety remains a priority.

Early accounts suggested dozens of casualties, but later reports indicated that the death toll had risen sharply, with more than 100 fatalities feared. The development triggered widespread condemnation and renewed scrutiny of the Federal Government’s efforts to address insecurity.

The killings have attracted reactions from political stakeholders, civil society organisations, and local residents, many of whom are demanding intensified military intervention and stronger security deployment in vulnerable communities.

Security personnel have since been dispatched to the affected areas to prevent further attacks, while government officials have assured residents that efforts are underway to apprehend those behind the violence.

The attack ranks among the most severe incidents recorded in Kwara State in recent times and has heightened concerns about the growing insecurity across parts of the North-Central region.