Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has expressed deep concern over the reported mass abduction of residents in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, following attacks on communities in the area.

Obi, in a Facebook post, said reports indicated that communities, including Dekara, had been attacked, while worshippers were reportedly abducted during Juma’at prayers.

He said as many as 600 people, predominantly women, children and elderly Nigerians, may have been abducted, although he stressed that the exact figure was still being verified.

According to him, reports also indicated that about 30 people may have been killed in the attacks.

“This is one case too many,” Obi said, describing the development as a situation that should “shake the conscience of every Nigerian” and compel urgent action from the government.

He condemned the reported attack on Nigerians in broad daylight and the abduction of worshippers from a place of worship, saying the victims were subsequently taken into forested areas.

Obi accused the political class of becoming increasingly preoccupied with the next election while Nigerians remain vulnerable to attacks.

“Our people are being left vulnerable while the political class appears increasingly consumed by the next election,” he said.

He stressed that elections were temporary, while lives lost to insecurity could not be recovered.

“Elections will come and go, but the lives of Nigerians cannot be recovered once lost,” the former Anambra State governor stated.

Obi called on the Federal Government to treat the incident as an emergency, urging it to deploy what he described as “overwhelming intelligence-led security operations” to rescue those in captivity.

He also urged authorities to secure the affected communities and dismantle the networks and enclaves allegedly enabling terrorists to operate in the area.

The NDC presidential candidate further linked the reported difficulties encountered during the initial rescue response to infrastructure challenges.

He said the police had complained that difficult terrain and a collapsed bridge hampered the rescue operation, using the situation to renew his call for the repair of existing infrastructure.

Obi expressed solidarity with the Niger State Government, residents of the affected communities and families of those reportedly abducted or killed.

“We must bring our people home and restore the confidence that government exists to protect them,” he added. (Nigerian Tribune)