Peter Obi decries Benue UTME candidates’ abduction, calls it “failure of leadership”

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned the reported abduction of some Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates in Benue State, describing the incident as a reflection of what he called a worsening security collapse in Nigeria.

In a statement on the incident, Obi said the kidnapping of students on their way to sit for examinations was “heartbreaking” and unacceptable, warning that it highlights the vulnerability of young Nigerians pursuing education.

He argued that the country’s already low tertiary education attainment rate makes the situation even more troubling, noting that Nigeria cannot afford to lose more students to insecurity.

Obi compared Nigeria’s educational outcomes with other developing countries, saying the proportion of tertiary graduates in the country remains significantly lower than in nations such as Indonesia and South Africa.

He said the abduction of students points to a broader national security challenge, which he described as a “pattern” rather than an isolated occurrence.

The former Anambra State governor also criticised what he described as misplaced priorities among political leaders, alleging that more attention is being directed toward elections than the protection of citizens.

He said security agencies should focus on safeguarding lives, securing highways, and ensuring that students can safely access examination centres.

According to him, the repeated incidents of abduction show a lack of urgent and decisive leadership in addressing insecurity across the country.

Obi warned that continued failure to protect young people would amount to “abandoning the nation’s future,” stressing that education and safety must be prioritised.

He called for immediate action to rescue the abducted students and prevent further attacks on schoolchildren and examination candidates.

“A nation that abandons its youth abandons its future,” he said, adding that “a New Nigeria is possible.”