Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has expressed concern over Nigeria’s worsening security situation following its ranking as the fourth most terrorized country in the world, according to the latest Global Terrorism Index.
In a statement, Obi described the country’s position on the index as a “painful indictment of failed leadership,” noting that while many nations are recording declines in terrorism, Nigeria is experiencing a surge.
He attributed the trend to “misplaced priorities, weak governance, corruption, a lack of rule of law, and the persistent neglect of security.”
The report revealed that Nigeria recorded 750 terrorism-related deaths in 2025, representing a 46 per cent increase from the previous year.
It also highlighted that the Sahel region, including Nigeria, has become the global epicentre of terrorism, accounting for nearly half of all such deaths worldwide for the third consecutive year.
Obi pointed to ongoing threats from groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province, as well as widespread kidnappings and attacks by armed bandits in rural communities.
He lamented that “Nigerians are dying daily while those in power continue to feast.”
Questioning the role of government, Obi asked, “What is the purpose of government if it cannot protect lives? Why are we normalizing tragedy while other nations make progress?”
He called for urgent action, urging leaders to shift “from excuses to action, and from failure to measurable progress,” adding that security is a fundamental right of every citizen.
