Borno killings: Obi condemns Boko Haram/ISWAP attack, blames poor leadership

Crime Diary, Politics

Abuja, Nigeria (NPA) — March 6, 2026 — Peter Obi, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and presidential aspirant, has condemned Thursday’s attack by Boko Haram insurgents on Ngoshe community in Borno State, northeast Nigeria.

The assault, which destroyed a military base and struck an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp, left at least nine Nigerian soldiers and several civilians dead, while an unspecified number of people were abducted, according to local reports.

In a statement issued Friday, Obi expressed deep concern over the tragedy: “I watched several videos of this tragedy with deep horror. Once again, we are confronted with the painful reality of the daily suffering that far too many Nigerians are forced to endure. This is unacceptable.”

He questioned the government’s response to ongoing insecurity: “How long will Nigerians continue to bear the consequences of poor leadership and mismanagement? How many more lives must be lost before decisive action is taken to secure our communities, protect the vulnerable, and dismantle the structures of these insurgents?”

Obi criticised political leaders for prioritising electoral gains over national security, saying: “While Nigerians are slaughtered daily by terrorists, what is more troubling is that amid these killings, our political leaders are preoccupied with selfish schemings on how to steal, grab and run away with the next election cycle, keeping us in insecurity, poverty, and underdevelopment.”

Offering condolences to victims, he added: “To the families who have lost loved ones, to the children now displaced, and to the communities living in fear, I stand with you in grief and in resolve. Your pain is Nigeria’s pain. Your safety and dignity must be the priority of any government that claims to serve the people.”

Obi emphasised that Nigeria requires leadership that values human life above all else: “Our nation is stronger than the terror that threatens it. But we cannot remain silent, and we cannot accept inaction. We must act now—for today’s victims, for tomorrow’s children, and for the Nigeria we all deserve.”