Presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi has reacted to the kidnapping of some female undergraduates of Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State.
He said that Nigerians must resist any attempt to allow criminals to make the rules by which they will live.
Obi said this in a statement on Tuesday, days after armed bandits invaded Sabon-Gida community in Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara, where many students from the university were residing.
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The former Anambra governor described the kidnapping as “very disturbing and condemnable”.
He said that the incident brings to bear once again, the national challenge of insecurity which has continued to threaten national peace and development.
“While I commend the security agencies for rescuing some of the abducted students already, I urge them to make more stringent efforts to ensure that the remaining students are rescued unhurt.
“This, and many other attacks on students, is an attack on education in a country where over 18 million out-of-school children are already roaming the streets.
“Attacks like this will only impact negatively on the education system, forcing more students out of school.
“The government, therefore, owes the nation a duty to deliver its primary duty of securing lives and properties, which is the first step towards national development,” Obi said.
Obi sympathised with the victims.
“I share the agony of their parents and relations in this trying moment. I pray that they will be rescued and reunited with their families and loved ones,” he said.
Obi added, “We must as a nation resist any attempt to allow criminals to make the rules by which we live as a national community. And we should not allow bandits and criminals to destroy our nation.
“Combating insecurity remains the priority in the New Nigeria of my dream because I strongly believe that a safe and secure Nigeria is indeed POssible.”