Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has reacted to a viral video of arrested bandit terrorists who were interrogated by troops of the Nigerian Army.

The suspected bandits, arrested by troops in Kwara State, claimed during interrogation that their arms and vehicle were supplied to them by government officials.

Reacting in a statement on Sunday titled ‘Insecurity and the Crisis of Accountability in Nigeria’, Obi, who described the video as disturbing, demanded ‘an immediate, transparent, and independent investigation.’

According to the former Labour Party presidential candidate, insecurity has expanded across the country, and in an increasingly brazen manner.

He stated that a government that truly makes human life a priority does not pamper insecurity; it instead eliminates it.

His full statement read: “Yesterday, a disturbing video emerged from Kwara State in which suspected terrorists arrested by security forces claimed that ammunition and logistics were supplied to them by government officials. This allegation, now circulating widely, demands nothing less than an immediate, transparent, and independent investigation.

“Over the years, trillions of naira and billions of dollars have been continuously collected by the government in the name of security. Yet insecurity has only expanded across the country, and in an increasingly brazen manner.

“This type of news fallout goes to give credence to the much-referenced quotation of late military leader General Sani Abacha that “Any insurgency that lasts more than 24 hours, the government is involved.”

“Former President Olusegun Obasanjo reinforced this point even more directly when he said: “Before I left office, Nigeria could identify and locate anyone who committed any crime anywhere in the country. Today, with technology such as drones and improved tracking tools, we can easily locate and remove them. But we are not doing that. Why are we negotiating with terrorists?”

“The government controls telecommunications, intelligence systems, and even financial trails, yet kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism continue to thrive. This reality raises serious questions for those in power.

“Between 2010 and 2015, under President Jonathan, Nigeria built one of the most advanced police communication and tracking infrastructures in its history. These systems were specifically designed to track criminal movements, particularly those of terrorists, monitor communications, and facilitate rapid response.

“We must therefore begin to ask: Where are these pieces of equipment, and why are they not being used? Why do terrorists’ confessions so often implicate government officials?

“In cases such as the St. Mary’s Catholic School attack, about 100 children were released just days ago, and government officials celebrated. Yet no terrorist was arrested, no punishment announced, and, to this day, no clear update has been given on the more than 200 children and teachers still in captivity.

“Why have we not deployed the equipment already at our disposal to trace these terrorists and rescue the remaining abducted schoolchildren?

“When insecurity persists on this scale, day after day, it points either to complicity or to a failure of leadership. No society should accept either.

“A government that truly makes human life a priority does not pamper insecurity; it eliminates it. The foremost responsibility of any government is the protection of life and property. Nigeria needs leaders of competence, transparency, and capacity – leaders who will end this insecurity once and for all.”

Former Senate Leader Senator Ali Ndume has explained why he took part in the screening of ambassadorial nominees by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, despite earlier calling on President Bola Tinubu to withdraw the list.

Ndume had, ahead of the screening, raised concerns over what he described as the lopsided composition of the nominees, arguing that it violated Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates the application of the federal character principle in the composition of the federal government to promote national unity.

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the Borno South senator said he was persuaded by his colleagues on the committee not to boycott the screening and confirmation exercise. He added that he also secured assurances from the committee’s leadership that concerns over imbalance in the nominations would be formally conveyed to the President.

“I still maintain that the list is lopsided,” Ndume said. “At the committee level, I raised a constitutional order during our meeting, and we agreed that while the screening would proceed, our report would clearly advise the President that the remaining nominations should be balanced to address the breach of the federal character principle.”

Ndume stressed that states omitted in the current nominations must be accommodated in the final list to be forwarded to the Senate for screening and confirmation. According to him, some states, such as Gombe and Yobe, were not represented, while others only had career ambassadors, whom he described as largely non-political appointees.

“We have 109 diplomatic missions. For non-career ambassadors, each state should have at least one to ensure balance,” he said. “Ideally, each state should have two or three ambassadors, including at least one career ambassador, given that we have 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates worldwide.

Ndume argued that such an arrangement would help address the issue of imbalance and ensure compliance with Section 14(3) of the Constitution, noting that Nigeria maintains diplomatic relations with 194 countries globally.

The Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs concluded the screening of ambassadorial nominees last week.

Ndume had earlier rejected Tinubu’s nomination over lack of federal character.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has described the emergence of a former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, Bola Oyebamiji, as the party’s candidate in the forthcoming state governorship election as “a right step towards a victorious outing.”

This was contained in a statement signed by Oyintiloye and made available to journalists in Osogbo, Osun State, on Sunday.

The former lawmaker said Oyebamiji’s emergence through a consensus arrangement should be dedicated to the APC leadership and members, especially other aspirants who stepped down.

He added that the peaceful manner of Oyebamiji’s emergence was an indication of the growth and excellence of character for which the APC is known.

Oyintiloye further said, “With Oyebamiji as the party’s candidate and the APC’s impending victory at the polls, the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu would be translated into good governance in Osun without hitch.

“Having successfully completed the primary, attention should now be on the main poll. Oyebamiji, as our candidate, is a right step towards a victory awaiting the APC.

“We must, however, work hard as a united family with a common purpose for the victory to be achieved.”

He recalled that some prophets of doom had predicted an implosion due to the large number of aspirants who initially indicated interest in the APC ticket, adding that the intervention of party leaders made the process seamless.

Oyintiloye commended President Bola Tinubu, the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; Chief Bisi Akande; the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola; and others for their guidance and commitment towards a successful primary for the Osun APC.

Urging the APC leadership in the state to further strengthen the party to make victory at the polls less stressful, Oyintiloye noted that, if elected Osun governor, Oyebamiji would lead a people-friendly government and implement programmes and policies that would positively impact the lives of residents.

Recall that Oyebamiji emerged as the APC candidate for the August 8, 2026, governorship election at the party’s primary conducted in Osogbo on Saturday by a committee led by the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpoboholo.