The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has described as frightening the spate of killings across parts of the country, warning that Nigeria is facing a “full-blown security emergency.”

Obi, in a post on his official 𝕏 handle on Sunday, lamented recent attacks in Borno, Edo, Sokoto, and Katsina states, which claimed over 100 lives within one week.

In Borno, suspected Boko Haram terrorists killed dozens of civilians and soldiers at Darul Jamal, Bama Local Government Area. Similarly, in Katsina, bandits murdered six people and kidnapped over 130 others during raids on Sabuwa communities.

Also, in Edo, gunmen suspected to be kidnappers killed eight officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and abducted a Chinese expatriate in Okpella, Etsako East LGA.

Obi wrote, “Nigeria Bleeds, Needs a Declaration of War on Insecurity Now. Bloody weekend: over 100 killed in Borno, Sokoto, Katsina, Edo. This grim headline captures the frightening reality reflected in our weekend papers.

“The killing of eight NSCDC officers, the abduction of a Chinese national in Edo, the kidnapping of passengers on the Benin–Iyere–Oluku road, and the slaughter of five soldiers and 58 civilians in Borno are not isolated tragedies. They are stark evidence that Nigeria is in the grip of a full-blown security emergency.”

While condoling with the families of victims, the former Anambra governor called for swift justice.

“My deepest condolences go to the families of our fallen heroes. Their courage reminds us that we still have men and women who are willing to risk everything for our safety. Their killers must be swiftly apprehended and brought to justice. Their sacrifices must never be forgotten,” he added.

He urged the government to “suspend all distractions” and focus on tackling insecurity, warning that Nigeria’s casualty figures now rival those of countries officially at war.

“When over 100 Nigerians are killed in a single weekend, our casualty figures rival those of countries officially at war. This is no longer business as usual. It is time to declare a national war on insecurity, to mobilise every resource, every agency, every state, and to suspend all distractions while we begin the process of reclaiming our nation from lawlessness,” Obi said.

Obi criticised frequent foreign trips by government officials, saying leadership must be seen at home, personally coordinating the fight against insecurity.

“Even foreign trips by government officials should be put on hold until the situation is brought under control. Junketing around the world under the pretence of wooing investors, while the country bleeds, is to live in denial. Investors will not come into a war zone,” he stressed.

The LP candidate warned that insecurity was the fastest route to national collapse, citing Somalia and Libya as examples, and insisted that urgent and courageous action was required to prevent Nigeria from sliding into anarchy.

“We must act now, with urgency and courage, to prevent a total descent into anarchy and rebuild Nigeria into a safe, secure, and productive nation for all. A new Nigeria is POssible,” Obi declared.