Former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned the wave of killings recorded across parts of Nigeria during the Easter period, accusing President Bola Tinubu of failing in the constitutional duty to safeguard lives and property.

In a statement posted on X on Monday, Obi said the continued attacks in several states, coming shortly after Tinubu’s assurance to residents of Plateau State that such tragedies would not recur, showed what he described as a troubling failure of leadership.

He recalled that during the President’s visit to Jos on April 2, Tinubu had assured grieving residents that “this experience will not repeat itself,” but noted that less than 24 hours later, another deadly attack occurred in Nyamgo Gyel, located in Jos South Local Government Area, where several persons were reportedly killed.

Obi said the violence has since spread to other parts of the country, citing fresh attacks in Nasarawa State, where gunmen allegedly invaded Akyawa and Udege Kasa communities, killing at least 11 persons, burning houses and forcing many residents to flee.

He also pointed to a reported mass abduction in Zamfara State, where about 150 persons were said to have been kidnapped from Kurfa Danya and Kurfan Magaji communities, describing it as one of the largest recent incidents of abduction in the state.

According to him, armed attackers also struck Chibok in Borno State, killing four security officers and setting homes ablaze.

Obi further lamented the Easter Sunday killings in Benue State, where more than 17 persons were reportedly massacred, with several communities razed and many residents still missing.

He added that fresh violence was equally recorded in Kaduna State, where worshippers were allegedly attacked inside churches, while several others were abducted in Ariko community, Kachia Local Government Area.

“Yet we were told this experience would not repeat itself. This represents a failure of leadership and responsibility, and sadly Nigerians are paying for it with their lives,” Obi said.

He argued that the attackers should not be treated as invisible enemies, insisting that failure to act decisively continues to embolden criminal elements across the country.

“The primary responsibility of government is protection of lives and property, but today Nigerians are being killed in their homes, communities and even places of worship,” he stated.

Describing the current security situation as alarming, Obi warned that the nation was facing a deepening emergency.

“Nigeria is bleeding, and the situation is becoming more frightening by the day,” he added.