Stop excuses, act now on rising terror threats – Obi tells FG

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has raised alarm over Nigeria’s worsening security situation, following the latest Global Terrorism Index report which ranks the country among the most terrorised nations globally.

Obi, in a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) platform on Thursday, described the report as a “painful indictment of failed leadership,” noting that Nigeria recorded one of the highest increases in terrorism-related deaths.

He expressed concern that while many countries are witnessing a decline in terrorism, Nigeria appears to be moving in the opposite direction, attributing the trend to poor governance and systemic failures.

According to him, “This trend is a direct result of misplaced priorities, weak governance, corruption, lack of rule of law, and the persistent neglect of security, which is the government’s most fundamental duty.”

The former Anambra State governor highlighted the range of security challenges facing the country, including the Boko Haram insurgency, the activities of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), widespread kidnapping, and violent attacks by armed bandits in rural communities.

He lamented that Nigerians continue to lose their lives daily, while those in positions of authority have failed to take decisive action.

“What is the purpose of government if it cannot protect lives? Why are we normalising tragedy while other nations make progress?” Obi queried.

He warned against accepting the current state of insecurity as normal, urging leaders to take concrete steps to reverse the trend and ensure measurable improvements in national security.

“This is not the Nigeria we should accept. We cannot continue down this path. It is time to move from excuses to action, and from failure to measurable progress,” he stated.

Obi stressed that a safe and secure Nigeria is a fundamental right of every citizen and must be prioritised by the government.

The Global Terrorism Index is widely regarded as a key measure of the impact of terrorism worldwide, and its latest findings have renewed concerns over Nigeria’s security challenges.