Photo caption: Peter Obi
The former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has expressed concern over the rising wave of crimes, particularly kidnappings, across the nation.
This was made known in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday.
The former governor of Anambra State stated that the escalating wave of kidnappings and killings has left no one untouched, with its impact felt in critical sectors such as agriculture, education, and healthcare.
He wrote, “The frequent occurrence of crimes, especially kidnapping, in the country today is worrisome and it’s causing a lot of apprehension in the land.
“Today, no one is currently spared from the dangerous wind of many kidnappings and killings blowing through many parts of the nation.
“Every Nigerian feels the heat of insecurity, which has continued to affect every aspect of our nation, from the agricultural sector, where farmers are often chased out of their farmlands, to the health and educational sectors, where critical workers are often kidnapped or killed.
“This is exemplified by the constant kidnapping and, sometimes, killing of our farmers, teachers and lecturers in different schools and universities.
“Just recently, the Manager of the College of Nursing Sciences, Ihiala, was killed. Yesterday, 2 Reverend Sisters, one a Principal and other a teacher who work in our different schools in Anambra state were again kidnapped.
“These are people contributing immensely to our national development through their sacrifices in farms, educational and health facilities in different remote villages.
“Nothing justifies these kidnaps, killings, as well as those of many Nigerians who suffer the same fate daily.
“This worrisome situation continues to demand urgent attention from us, the leaders.
“One wonders if the reported cases of kidnapping and killings are this much, then how many go unreported?
“Again, I appeal to the government to employ every security arsenal at its disposal to end this menace and ensure the safe rescue of those in captivity. And to the criminals terrorizing our people, I urge them to have a change of heart and desist from their evil ways.
“We must not burn down our only nation with terror and violence.”
