Obi Speaks on Tackling Insecurity

The Labour Party’s nominee for president, Peter Obi,  declared on Monday that he will address the country’s security crisis head-on if elected president in 2023.

He stated this in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, noting that his solution to the problem would be “decisive and immediate”.

While stressing that the nation’s security situation has been very worrisome, the former Anambra Governor said he feels the Federal Government should do more.

A few hours before Obi’s remarks, the terrorists who ambushed a train travelling between Abuja and Kaduna on March 28, 2022, freed three of the 62 detainees they had taken hostage.

As the terrorists threatened to sell some victims into slavery and kill others, a horrific video from Sunday showed some of the hostages being flogged.

The Labour Party’s presidential flagbearer said there are numerous measures he would put in place to halt the flood of insecurity, most of which he cannot speak on television at the moment, in response to the development and others across the nation.

Further, Obi argued that for the security situation in Nigeria to alter, there must be an economic shift.

“To improve the security situation in Nigeria, as President, I will ensure the economy works, and more people are pulled out of poverty.

“The more you remove people from poverty, the more you reduce criminality. It is critical and important. As long as the economy continues to head south like we are seeing today, your criminality will rise,” Obi explained.

In addition, he stated that other measures, such as adequate manpower and standardised equipment, need to be implemented to boost output.

Obi added that every state would be given responsibility for its security while he was in control of the government.

“I have said repeatedly that if I have the opportunity, every state will be responsible for their security.

“I will make sure that the governors are given the powers to secure their state. Even if we have federal police there, they will be responsible and reporting to the governor.

“Additionally, the state will be allowed to have their own security system if the need be,” Obi emphasized.