Nigerian politician Peter Obi has described the security situation in Sokoto State as a “tragic” collapse of both governance and basic humanity, after reports emerged that terrorists are forcing residents from their ancestral homes without any intervention from the authorities.
In a strongly worded statement posted on X, the former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate highlighted the plight of communities including Borgaja, where non-state actors are reportedly issuing direct orders to citizens.
“What we are witnessing in Borgaja and other communities in Sokoto State, and indeed across our country, is tragic,” Mr Obi wrote. “It reflects a complete breakdown of governance and humanity.”
He continued: “Reports that terrorists can issue orders for citizens to flee their ancestral homes without consequence are both heartbreaking and unacceptable. This means that in parts of our country today, non-state actors have assumed the authority of the state—deciding who lives where and under what conditions. This is not how a nation should function.”
Mr Obi questioned how Nigeria had reached a point where its citizens were obeying instructions from terrorists rather than their own government. “I have consistently maintained that no nation can progress when its people live in fear,” he said. “This is no longer just a security issue; it is a national emergency.”
The Labour Party leader stressed that the protection of lives and property remains the foremost duty of any government. “Nigerians deserve to live in peace, not at the mercy of terror,” he added.
The statement comes amid persistent reports of banditry and terrorist activity across parts of northern Nigeria, where communities have repeatedly voiced frustration over the inability of security forces to restore order. Mr Obi’s intervention is the latest in a series of calls by opposition figures for urgent federal action to address the crisis.
