Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has reacted strongly to claims by suspected terrorists that government officials supplied them with weapons and logistics.
Obi called for an urgent, independent, and transparent investigation into the allegation.
He said the matter is too serious to be ignored and must be handled openly to restore public trust.
The former Anambra State governor spoke on Sunday through a statement shared on his verified X handle.
His reaction followed the circulation of a video from Kwara State showing arrested suspects making the claims.
In the video, the suspects alleged that ammunition and other support were provided to them by people within government structures. The footage quickly spread online and sparked widespread public concern.
Obi expressed deep worry over the situation. He said the allegation becomes more troubling considering the huge sums spent on security over the years.
“Yesterday, a disturbing video emerged from Kwara State in which suspected terrorists arrested by security forces claimed that ammunition and logistics were supplied to them by government officials.”
He said despite trillions of naira and billions of dollars allocated to security, insecurity has continued to worsen across the country. According to him, the spread of violence has become more frequent and more daring.
“This allegation, now circulating widely, over the years, trillions of naira and billions of dollars have been continuously collected by the government in the name of security.”
Obi said such reports lend weight to long-held concerns about government involvement or negligence in prolonged insecurity. He recalled a famous remark by late military ruler, General Sani Abacha, on the nature of insurgency.
“This type of news fallout gives credence to the much-referenced quotation of the late military leader General Sani Abacha that any insurgency that lasts more than 24 hours, the government is involved.”
He also cited comments previously made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Nigeria’s security capabilities.
“Former President Olusegun Obasanjo reinforced this point even more directly when he said: Before I left office, Nigeria could identify and locate anyone who committed any crime anywhere in the country. Today, with technology such as drones and improved tracking tools, we can easily locate and remove them. But we are not doing that. Why are we negotiating with terrorists?”
Obi said the government has control over key security tools, including telecommunications, intelligence systems, and financial tracking. Yet, crimes such as kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism continue unchecked.
He described this reality as deeply troubling and said it raises serious questions about those in authority.
“The government controls telecommunications, intelligence systems, and even financial trails, yet kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism continue to thrive. This reality raises serious questions for those in power.”
Obi further recalled that Nigeria once invested heavily in advanced security infrastructure. He said those systems were designed to track terrorists and respond swiftly to threats.
“Between 2010 and 2015, under President Jonathan, Nigeria built one of the most advanced police communication and tracking infrastructures in its history. These systems were specifically designed to track criminal movements, particularly those of terrorists, monitor communications, and facilitate rapid response.”
He questioned why such equipment appears to be missing or unused.
“We must therefore begin to ask: Where are these pieces of equipment, and why are they not being used? Why do terrorists’ confessions so often implicate government officials?”
Obi also raised concerns over recent school abductions. He referenced the release of some children while many others remain in captivity.
“In cases such as the St. Mary’s Catholic School attack, about 100 children were released just days ago, and government officials celebrated. Yet no terrorist was arrested, no punishment announced, and, to this day, no clear update has been given on the more than 200 children and teachers still in captivity.”
He asked why the government has failed to use available technology to track and rescue the remaining victims.
“Why have we not deployed the equipment already at our disposal to trace these terrorists and rescue the remaining abducted schoolchildren?”
According to Obi, persistent insecurity points to either complicity or failure of leadership. He said neither should be acceptable in any society.
“When insecurity persists on this scale, day after day, it points either to complicity or to a failure of leadership. No society should accept either.”
He stressed that protecting lives and property remains the primary duty of any government.
“A government that truly makes human life a priority does not pamper insecurity; it eliminates it. The foremost responsibility of any government is the protection of life and property. Nigeria needs leaders of competence, transparency, and capacity, leaders who will end this insecurity once and for all.”
