By Dennis Okechukwu
The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has strongly condemned the reported abduction of Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates in Benue State, describing the incident as a tragic reflection of leadership failure and worsening insecurity in Nigeria.
In a statement released on Thursday, Obi said the kidnapping of students on their way to sit for examinations was “heartbreaking” and indicative of a broader collapse in the nation’s security architecture.
He lamented that young Nigerians pursuing education are increasingly exposed to violence, warning that such incidents threaten the country’s already low rate of tertiary education attainment. According to him, Nigeria’s proportion of university graduates remains significantly below that of comparable nations, making the loss or disruption of students’ education even more damaging.
Obi criticised political leaders for allegedly prioritising electoral ambitions over the safety of citizens, accusing those in authority of focusing on power struggles rather than deploying security resources to protect lives and secure public spaces.
“This is no longer an isolated tragedy; it is a pattern and a national crisis,” he said, calling for urgent and decisive action to address insecurity, rescue the abducted students, and restore public confidence.
The former Anambra State governor warned that neglecting the welfare and safety of young people could have long-term consequences for the nation’s future, stressing that Nigeria cannot afford to lose more students to violence.
He concluded by reiterating his call for responsible leadership and renewed commitment to safeguarding the country’s youth.
Suggested Headlines:
UTME Abductions: Peter Obi Blasts Leadership Failure, Rising Insecurity
‘Nigeria Cannot Lose More Students to Violence’ — Obi Decries Benue Kidnap Incident
The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has strongly condemned the reported abduction of Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates in Benue State, describing the incident as a tragic reflection of leadership failure and worsening insecurity in Nigeria.
In a statement released on Thursday, Obi said the kidnapping of students on their way to sit for examinations was “heartbreaking” and indicative of a broader collapse in the nation’s security architecture.
He lamented that young Nigerians pursuing education are increasingly exposed to violence, warning that such incidents threaten the country’s already low rate of tertiary education attainment. According to him, Nigeria’s proportion of university graduates remains significantly below that of comparable nations, making the loss or disruption of students’ education even more damaging.
Obi criticised political leaders for allegedly prioritising electoral ambitions over the safety of citizens, accusing those in authority of focusing on power struggles rather than deploying security resources to protect lives and secure public spaces.
“This is no longer an isolated tragedy; it is a pattern and a national crisis,” he said, calling for urgent and decisive action to address insecurity, rescue the abducted students, and restore public confidence.
The former Anambra State governor warned that neglecting the welfare and safety of young people could have long-term consequences for the nation’s future, stressing that Nigeria cannot afford to lose more students to violence.
He concluded by reiterating his call for responsible leadership and renewed commitment to safeguarding the country’s youth.