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.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, “to immediately enforce the judgment compelling and directing him and president Bola Tinubu to widely publish the names of those indicted in the alleged misappropriation of ₦6 trillion meant to implement the abandoned 13,777 projects and in the running of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) between 2000 and 2019.”

The judgment was delivered on Monday, 10 November, by Justice Gladys Olotu following a Freedom of Information suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/1360/2021, brought by SERAP.

The court also ordered Fagbemi and the President “to publish and make available to the public the NDDC forensic audit report submitted to the federal government on September 2, 2021.”

In the letter dated 13 December 2025 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “The continuing failure and/or refusal to publicly acknowledge the judgment and immediately enforce it makes a mockery of the country’s legal and judicial processes and the rule of law.”

“Section 287(1) of the Nigeria Constitution 1999 [as amended] provides that the decisions of Nigerian courts “shall be enforced in any part of the Federation by all authorities and persons.’ This constitutional provision admits no exception and leaves no ambiguity,” the group said.

“The ongoing failure and/or refusal to enforce the judgment is a fundamental breach of both the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution and a direct assault on the rule of law.”

The letter, read in part: “The continuing failure to immediately obey Justice Olotu’s judgment exposes responsible officials to contempt proceedings, including personal liability.”

“Obeying the judgment would reinforce the primacy of the Nigerian Constitution, and the country’s international obligations and show respect for the rule of law.”

“The Attorney General is the Chief Law Officer of the Federation and as such has the responsibility to uphold the Nigerian Constitution, advise the government to ensure that its actions conform with judicial decisions, obey the rule of law and generally act in the public interest.”

“Despite the clarity and binding nature of the Court’s judgment and the service of the judgment on you and the president, you have failed, neglected, and/or refused to comply with the judgment. Justice Olotu’s judgment is not advisory; it is final, binding, and immediately enforceable against you and President Tinubu.”

“SERAP is concerned that the continuing failure by you and President Tinubu to obey the court judgment is contributing to ongoing corruption and impunity of perpetrators in ministries, departments and agencies [MDAs].”

“The continuing failure and/or refusal by you to enforce legally binding judgment of court and to advise President Tinubu to implement the judgment is also entirely inconsistent and incompatible with Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.”

“It is unacceptable for the Attorney General of the Federation and the government under which you serve to take the court, which is the guardian of justice in this country, for a ride. Obeying the court judgment would go a long way in protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s legal and judicial systems.”

“By immediately complying with the judgment, you and President Tinubu will show Nigerians that the administration is willing and able to end many years of brazen impunity for corruption in the country.”

“Immediately implementing the judgment will also restore public trust and confidence in the ability of the Tinubu administration to respect the rule of law and contribute to the efforts to improve transparency and accountability in the management of Nigeria’s wealth and natural resources, including in the NDDC.”

“As the Supreme Court eloquently stated in Governor of Lagos State v. Ojukwu (1986) 1 NWLR (Pt. 18) 621, ‘The rule of law presupposes that the state is subject to the law. The government should be the first to obey the law.’”

“The Court also held that a government that disobeys court orders ‘invites anarchy.’”

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider pursuing contempt proceedings against you to compel you to uphold the Nigerian Constitution and the rule of law.”

“In her judgment, Justice Olotu held that, ‘The forensic audit report of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as well as the names of persons indicted therein, clearly fall within the definition of ‘public records’ as contained in Section 31 of the Freedom of Information Act.’”

“Justice Olotu also held that, ‘NDDC forensic audit report and the names of persons indicted therein are not exempted under Sections 11-19, as the information relates to the use and management of public funds.’”