Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has reacted strongly to the confirmation of a large-scale kidnapping involving church worshippers in Kaduna State, questioning those who initially dismissed the reports.
The ex-Anambra State governor expressed his concerns in a post shared on his official 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday, following confirmation that more than 150 worshippers were abducted during attacks on churches in the state.
Obi wondered where the individuals and authorities who denied the incident earlier sourced their information from, especially now that security agencies have acknowledged that the abduction truly occurred. He also called for accountability, insisting that those who threatened to punish people for allegedly spreading “false information” should now be held responsible.
According to him, the situation demands firm national action, clear communication, and visible leadership. Obi stressed that leadership goes beyond seeking power, adding that it requires being present when citizens are in pain and acting decisively when lives are at risk.
He further urged the government to take immediate and proactive steps to ensure the safe and speedy release of the abducted victims, emphasizing that Nigerian lives must be treated as valuable and protected at all costs.
“In any serious nation, such an incident would spark urgent national response and responsible leadership,” Obi stated, adding that insecurity has become a persistent crisis that must no longer be ignored.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has confirmed that the kidnapping took place at Kurmin Wali, a remote community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, after what it described as thorough intelligence gathering and verification.
The confirmation has sparked public outrage, especially following earlier denials by some government officials who initially claimed that no abduction had occurred in the area.