Obi condemns rising crime in Sokoto, urges citizens not to be held hostage by anxiety

Peter Obi, a former Labour Party presidential candidate, believes Nigerians have the right to live in peace, free from the grip of terror, as insecurity continues to rise across the country.

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In a post on his verified X account on Sunday, Obi lamented the state of security, describing it as a tragic collapse of both governance and basic humanity, in response to reports from Borgaja and other communities in Sokoto State.

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Obi reacted strongly to reports that terrorists had allegedly ordered residents to vacate their lands in these areas, calling the development "heartbreaking and unacceptable" and highlighting the alarming trend of non-state actors assuming authority in parts of Nigeria.

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According to Obi, the situation in Borgaja and other communities in Sokoto State, as well as across the country, is a reflection of a complete breakdown of governance and humanity, with Nigerians being forced to take instructions from terrorists instead of their government.

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Obi emphasized that a nation cannot progress when its people live in fear, and he has consistently maintained this stance, now calling the situation a national emergency rather than just a security issue.

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The primary responsibility of any government, Obi noted, is the protection of lives and property, and he reiterated that Nigerians deserve to live in peace, not at the mercy of terror.

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His comments come amid fresh reports of violence in eastern Sokoto, where fighters loyal to Turji attacked Bargaja town on March 15, killing at least two villagers and forcing many others to flee.

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Earlier, in January 2026, armed men raided Bargaja, killing two people and abducting several others, and prior to that, security sources and residents reported that Bargaja had been attacked, suggesting repeated raids in the area along the Sokoto–Zamfara axis.