NIGERIA: Peter Obi Demands Probe Into Allegations Of Govt Officials Supplying Arms To Terrorists

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

Former Labour Party presidential candidate and ex-Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has called for an immediate, transparent, and independent investigation into claims by arrested suspected terrorists in Kwara State that government officials supplied them with ammunition and logistics.

In a statement posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, Obi described a viral video of the confessions as “disturbing” and said the allegations warrant urgent scrutiny.

“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,” Obi wrote.

He highlighted the persistent insecurity despite massive security funding, noting that “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.”

Obi referenced past statements by Nigerian leaders to underscore his concerns. He quoted the late General Sani Abacha saying “Any insurgency that lasts more than 24 hours, the government is involved.” He also cited former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who reportedly 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 opposition figure questioned why advanced tracking systems, including those developed between 2010 and 2015 under President Goodluck Jonathan, are not being utilised to combat kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism.

Obi pointed to a recent school abduction as an example, stating that “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.”

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

Concluding his statement, Obi asserted: “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.”

“A New Nigeria is Possible.”

As of the time of this report, there has been no official response from the federal government or security agencies to Obi’s demands or the circulating video.

The allegations remain unverified independently.