Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has decried the worsening insecurity across the country, warning that abductions and killings have become an everyday occurrence for Nigerians.

Naijaonpoint reports that Obi, in a statement via his official 𝕏 on Tuesday, was reacting to the abduction of 44 worshippers from a mosque in Zamfara State.

The former Governor of Anambra State noted that the incident happened barely days after reports of a peace deal in neighbouring Katsina State.

“While news headlines are still celebrating a purported peace deal in Katsina, we were again confronted with another unfortunate reality that 55 of our fellow citizens were abducted in neighbouring Zamfara State,” Obi said.

He lamented that behind the statistics of those killed or abducted were human lives and broken families.

“Behind every number are families torn apart, dreams cut short, and futures stolen. A nation cannot grow or prosper when its citizens live in perpetual fear. It is now as though the lives of Nigerians do not matter,” he said.

He questioned the government’s response to the wave of abductions and killings.

“What is the value of the life of one Nigerian, when hundreds are kidnapped and killed daily without a national emergency on insecurity? If the lives of many are taken for granted, how then can the life of one Nigerian be valued?” Obi asked.

Obi also faulted what he described as government silence in the face of constant violence.

“When a government remains silent in the face of constant bloodshed, it diminishes the dignity of every single citizen. The first duty of leadership is to protect life,” he stated.

Obi called for urgent steps to protect Nigerians, stressing that peace must be the standard and not a privilege.

“We must urgently prioritise the protection of lives and property. Our people deserve a country where peace is not an option but the standard. Nigerians will not accept insecurity as their fate,” Obi added.