The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has alleged that the frequency of school abductions in Nigeria has increased under President Bola Tinubu’s administration compared to previous governments.
Obi made the claim in a statement posted on his official X account on Friday, where he revisited the 2014 abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls and warned that Nigerians may be becoming desensitised to worsening insecurity.
He said the Chibok abduction triggered global outrage and led to the international #BringBackOurGirls campaign.
“The abduction of the Chibok girls in 2014 triggered a global movement. One school abduction was enough to unite Nigerians, attract international attention, and place enormous pressure on the government through the #BringBackOurGirls campaign,” Obi stated.
The former Anambra State governor lamented that, despite the increasing number of school kidnappings in recent years, public reactions have become less intense.
“Under President Buhari’s eight years in office, Nigeria witnessed about ten school abductions. Under President Tinubu’s administration, in just three years, we have already recorded over ten school abductions,” he said.
Obi questioned why repeated attacks on schools no longer generate the same level of outrage that followed the Chibok incident.
“Despite these repeated tragedies, there has been neither sustained national outrage nor significant international attention comparable to what followed Chibok,” he said.
“This raises an important question: have we become so accustomed to insecurity that what once shocked our national conscience is now treated as normal?” he asked.
He also criticised what he described as the growing focus of political leaders on electoral calculations rather than urgent national challenges such as insecurity and poverty.
“At a time when millions of Nigerians are grappling with insecurity, poverty, and hardship, it is deeply troubling that those in power appear more focused on political calculations and preparations for the next election than on addressing the urgent challenges confronting our people,” he said.
Obi further argued that persistent insecurity and economic hardship have continued to damage Nigeria’s international image, though he rejected any attempt to define the country by its challenges.
“It is, therefore, no surprise that some observers have labelled us a ‘Now Disgraced Nation’. While we do not agree with any attempt to define our great country by its present difficulties, we must acknowledge that persistent insecurity, economic hardship, and leadership failure have damaged our reputation and standing among nations,” he stated.
He maintained that only accountable and compassionate leadership can address Nigeria’s challenges.
“The answer is not denial, propaganda, or political distraction. The answer is leadership that is competent, compassionate, accountable, and genuinely committed to the welfare and security of the Nigerian people,” Obi said.
Calling on young Nigerians to remain engaged in national affairs, he urged them not to normalise insecurity and governance failure.
“Young Nigerians — Take back your country! A New Nigeria is Possible,” he wrote.
