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Former Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has strongly condemned the abduction of candidates sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Benue State, calling it a disturbing reflection of the deepening security crisis and failure of leadership in Nigeria.
In a statement posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, Obi expressed deep sorrow over the incident, in which gunmen abducted several secondary school students and other passengers, including UTME candidates, along the Makurdi–Otukpo road while they were heading to examination centres.
“The news of the abduction of innocent UTME candidates in Benue State is not just heartbreaking but a damning indictment of the failure of leadership and the collapse of security in our nation,” Obi stated.
He lamented that young Nigerians striving for education are increasingly being met with terror instead of opportunity. “Young Nigerians striving for an education are being met with terror. In a country where the share of tertiary graduates is already painfully low (about 1%), far below peers like Indonesia (about 13%) and South Africa (around 10%), this is unacceptable. We cannot afford to lose even one more student to violence.”
Obi criticized those in authority for appearing more focused on political activities ahead of future elections than on securing lives and property. “Those entrusted with protecting these young students appear increasingly preoccupied with the next election, projecting strength and power to rig elections, rather than deploying that same power and agencies to secure our roads, prevent these crimes, and rescue the abducted children who should not be in the hands of criminals but in examination halls.”
He described the abduction as no longer an isolated tragedy but a recurring pattern that has become a national crisis, demanding urgent, decisive, and responsible action rather than excuses or silence.
Obi called on the relevant authorities to prioritize the immediate and safe rescue of the abducted candidates and to take concrete steps to restore security across the country, particularly on major roads and in areas where students and citizens are vulnerable.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday evening, involved the abduction of approximately 14 passengers, many of them UTME candidates traveling in a commercial bus. Security agencies have since launched rescue operations.
Mr. Peter Obi remains committed to advocating for a safer, more secure Nigeria where every child can pursue education without fear.