The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly dismissed recent comments by Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, describing Nigeria as a “killing field.”
In a post on his official X handle on Monday, Obi alleged that over 10,000 Nigerians had been killed in the last two years by terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements, citing figures reportedly linked to Amnesty International.
Reacting on Tuesday, the APC’s Lagos State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Seye Oladejo, described Obi’s remarks as misleading, politically motivated, and a distortion of reality.
“APC totally rejects and condemns the baseless allegation by Mr. Peter Obi that Nigeria is now a killing field with more than 10,000 deaths under President Tinubu’s administration. Such sensationalist claims are unfounded, reckless, and intended to score cheap political points,” Oladejo stated.
He stressed that contrary to Obi’s assertion, the Tinubu administration has achieved notable progress in tackling insecurity under the Renewed Hope Agenda. According to him, official defence records show that between August 2023 and April 2025, 9,415 terrorists were neutralised, 3,159 suspects arrested, and 5,449 hostages rescued. In a separate two-year performance report by Defence Headquarters, 6,260 terrorists were killed, 14,138 criminals apprehended, and 5,365 civilians rescued. The military also recovered stolen crude oil worth about ₦83 billion.
Breaking down recent military successes, Oladejo highlighted operations in the North-East and North-West. He said that Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East neutralised 1,246 terrorists, arrested 2,467 suspects, and rescued 1,920 civilians, while Operation Fasin Yamma in the North-West led to 1,374 bandits killed, 2,160 suspects either arrested or surrendering, and 3,288 hostages freed.
“These are not just statistics; they represent real lives saved and communities secured from terrorists and bandits,” Oladejo emphasized.
He also cited specific operations, including air strikes in Katsina that freed 76 hostages (though one child died tragically in the process) and killed 35 militants, as well as precision raids in Borno State that eliminated 35 extremists and restored vital communication links. Another week-long mission in Borno neutralised 76 insurgents, arrested 72 suspects, and rescued eight hostages.
Oladejo further noted that the federal government has invested significantly in strengthening the Armed Forces, acquiring advanced fighter jets, helicopters, naval patrol vessels, tactical vehicles, and locally produced military hardware. The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), he said, has manufactured millions of rounds of ammunition, Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, protective gear, and drones.
He added that these achievements have attracted commendation from groups such as the Coalition for Human Rights and Freedom (CHRF), which acknowledged the Armed Forces for neutralising over 13,500 terrorists and rescuing close to 10,000 hostages.
“These are verifiable results, unlike the exaggerated narrative presented by Mr. Obi. The Armed Forces under President Tinubu have continued to demonstrate capacity, resilience, and effectiveness in securing Nigeria,” Oladejo concluded, while reaffirming the Lagos APC’s support for the President and the military.
