A former presidential candidate under the umbrella of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, on Thursday condemned the recent killings in Kwara State, describing the attacks as tragic and a major failure for the country.
Obi, in a post on X, said he was “deeply saddened” by reports that gunmen killed about 150 people in communities including Woro and Nuku, offering condolences to the families of victims and the government and people of the state.
“Every loss of innocent life is tragic, and these killings represent a major failure for us as a nation,” he wrote.
The former Anambra State governor said the recurring violence across the country underscored the urgent need to confront insecurity, warning that the situation had worsened beyond what is seen in some war-torn nations.
“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 urged relevant authorities to act swiftly to restore peace, bring perpetrators to justice, and reassure Nigerians that their lives would be protected.
The killings Obi referenced followed a deadly attack on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area, where gunmen invaded the villages, killing scores of residents and burning homes.
Initial reports indicated that dozens were killed, but the casualty figure later rose significantly, with over 100 deaths feared, sparking widespread outrage and renewed criticism of the Federal Government’s handling of insecurity.
The massacre has drawn condemnation from political leaders, civil society groups, and residents, with calls for intensified military operations and stronger security presence in affected areas.
Security operatives were subsequently deployed to the communities to forestall further attacks, while government officials pledged to bring those responsible to justice.
The attack is one of the deadliest incidents recorded in the state in recent times and has reignited concerns over escalating violence across parts of the North-Central region.