Peter Obi slams FG over deadly attacks, calls for urgent action on insecurity

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has criticised the Federal Government for its failure to address escalating insecurity, following a string of deadly attacks in several states that left dozens dead in the opening days of 2026.

Obi made the remarks in a statement shared on his X account, reacting to reports of violence in Niger, Plateau, Kano, and Katsina states.

Obi described the ongoing killings as deeply worrisome and unacceptable, warning that Nigeria has become trapped in a cycle of violence that has dangerously normalised.

He highlighted the Kasuwan Daji Market attack in the Domo community of Borgu Local Government Area, Niger State, where more than 40 people were reportedly killed in a brutal assault he described as terrorist in nature.

Other attacks cited by Obi include the assault on Bong village in Doemak District, Plateau State, where armed bandits killed several residents, attacks in Shanono Local Government Area, Kano State, and the Unguwar Naino community in Katsina State, which suffered deaths and injuries on New Year’s Day.

Obi criticised the government’s inability to guarantee basic security for citizens, calling it a reflection of a deeper leadership failure.

“The repeated failure to provide basic security for citizens is a national shame, and the toll it takes on families and communities is immeasurable,” he said.

Obi urged the government to adopt an urgent, coordinated, and decisive ‘all-hands-on-deck’ approach to end the cycle of violence that has become a daily reality in many parts of the country.

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In response to the Kasuwan Daji attack, President Tinubu directed security agencies to track down and apprehend the terrorists and ensure the rescue of all abducted victims. The directive tasked the Defence Minister, Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services to take swift action.

Preliminary reports suggest the attackers may be fleeing Sokoto and Zamfara states following a U.S. air strike on Christmas Eve. President Tinubu assured affected communities that security operations would be intensified, particularly around forests used as criminal hideouts, and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives, property, and Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

Analysts and security experts warn that repeated attacks underscore the need for long-term strategic solutions, including intelligence-led operations, community policing, and proactive measures to dismantle armed networks before they can strike again.

The recent spate of violence highlights the urgent challenge facing Nigeria in restoring safety and stability to its northern communities.