Former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential aspirant, Peter Obi, has said he would have personally led an operation into the forest where pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire, Oyo State, were held if he were President.
Obi said all victims would have been rescued from the kidnappers’ hideout, even if the operation resulted in casualties.
The former governor made the remarks during an interview on State of the Nation with Peter Obi on Afia TV’s Eastern Eye, hosted by Alex Ogbodo, which aired live on Thursday.
The Oriire abduction occurred on May 15, 2026, when several schoolchildren and teachers were kidnapped in Oyo State. The victims spent about 56 days in captivity before they were rescued by security forces in July.
Obi criticised President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the incident, alleging that the President failed to personally contact Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde during the period the victims remained in captivity.
He argued that a stronger and faster response was required from the country’s leadership in addressing security challenges.
“Days of kidnap of Oyo children. The President did not call the governor. What do you mean? Fifty days,” Obi said.
“But I’ll be there in two days. Is the bush not in Nigeria? That bush they went in. The bush is in Nigeria. Everybody in that bush will come out. Everybody. There might be casualties but everybody will come out,” he added.
Obi also criticised the level of secrecy surrounding security operations in Nigeria, saying authorities should publicly present arrested criminals and show evidence of successful operations.
He questioned why security agencies often keep details of major operations private instead of informing Nigerians about outcomes.
“When we say we resolve something. We arrest some people. Parade the people. Let people see them. What is happening?” Obi said.
He compared Nigeria’s approach with other countries where authorities publicly display suspects or announce the results of security operations.
Reflecting on his time as governor of Anambra State, Obi said he took direct action against criminal activities in forests across the state after consulting former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
He said he informed Obasanjo that a particular forest had become a security threat and insisted that criminal elements operating in the area had to be removed.
Obi also referred to security operations carried out during his administration, noting that some notorious criminals were killed during efforts to restore peace in the state.
He stressed that leadership requires clear authority, responsibility and the willingness to make difficult decisions.
“No way. It’s either I’m in charge or you people are in charge. I go home. One person must be in charge,” Obi said.
He added that anyone seeking to lead must be prepared to take responsibility for their decisions and actions.
