Labour Party Presidential Candidate Peter Obi Condemns Abduction of University Students

Labour Party Presidential Candidate Peter Obi Condemns Abduction of University Students

Gunmen Attack University Students

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, has voiced his concerns over the recent abduction of students from the Federal University of Gusau. The incident, which transpired on Friday morning, involved gunmen suspected of being bandits who launched an attack on the Sabon-Gida community within the Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, a region inhabited by a significant number of university students.

Candidate Obi’s Response to the Abduction

In the aftermath of the kidnapping, Obi has implored Nigerians to withstand any attempts by criminals and bandits to dictate the terms of their lives. He contends that the nation should not permit these individuals to wreak havoc on their community. He maintains that addressing insecurity is a top priority in his vision for a new Nigeria, expressing a strong belief that a safe and secure nation is indeed attainable.

Abductions and the Impact on Education

The Labour Party presidential candidate opines that the abduction of the students in Zamfara, coupled with many other similar attacks, constitutes an assault on education in Nigeria. According to him, over 18 million out-of-school children are already wandering the streets. He emphasizes that such attacks could only further negatively impact the country’s education system and result in more students dropping out of school. He notes that the government owes the nation a duty to fulfill its primary responsibility of securing lives and properties, which, according to him, is the first step towards national peace and development.

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Call to Action Against Banditry

Obi stresses the importance of resisting any attempts to allow criminals to make the rules by which Nigerians live as a national community. He adds that bandits and criminals should not be allowed to destroy the nation. Combating insecurity, he insists, remains the priority in his envisioned New Nigeria, as he remains convinced that a safe and secure Nigeria is feasible.

Government Response to Abduction

In response to the incident, the government has dismissed claims that it is negotiating with the suspected terrorists to secure the release of the abducted students. Instead, it insists that it is working tirelessly to ensure that the students and others return home unharmed. The Minister of Defence and his State counterpart have both expressed their confidence in the joint security task forces, which they say are working discreetly around the clock to effect the students’ rescue.

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Conclusion

The abduction of students from the Federal University of Gusau is a troubling reminder of the persistent insecurity in parts of Nigeria. With the Labour Party’s presidential candidate Peter Obi’s strong condemnation of the incident and his call for a robust response to insecurity, there is an increasing demand for the government to take decisive action to ensure the safety of its citizens, particularly the vulnerable student population.

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