Insecurity: Farmers must be able to return to their farms” – Peter Obi

The presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called for urgent action against Nigeria’s deepening insecurity crisis.

Obi warned that Nigeria cannot thrive while its citizens live in constant fear.

Obi gave the warning in a statement issued shortly after he was declared the 2027 presidential candidate for the NDC.

Painting a grim picture of the security situation, Obi cited the worsening global rankings on terrorism impact.

Nigeria was ranked the 8th most affected country in 2022, rose to 6th in 2024, and further deteriorated to 4th in 2026, according to global terrorism assessments.

Despite these challenges, the presidential hopeful highlighted Nigeria’s proud legacy as a major contributor to international peacekeeping and regional stability.

“Nigeria became one of the leading contributors of troops from Africa to UN peacekeeping missions and earned widespread admiration for operational effectiveness and leadership in various countries, including Rwanda, Sudan, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mali, Western Sahara, Congo, Lebanon, Cambodia, Haiti, and Kuwait,” Obi noted.

The former Anambra State governor stressed that the primary duty of any government is the protection of lives and property, urging authorities to tackle the crisis with “resolve and urgency.”

“Farmers must be able to return to their farms securely; students must be able to learn without fear; communities must be able to rest peacefully; and investors must regain their confidence in Nigeria,” Obi declared.

He also outlined a comprehensive strategy focused on intelligence-driven operations, technology enhancement, proactive measures, and strong community engagement.

He said the pillars of his approach include fortifying security institutions, improving coordination among agencies, better supporting frontline personnel, and addressing root causes such as poverty, unemployment, and marginalisation.