The Labour Party presidential candidate in the last election, Mr Peter Obi, has declared a strong stance against insecurity, economic hardship, and governance issues in the country.

Obi's response comes in the wake of recent kidnappings, including the abduction of medical students in Benue State and a state commissioner and his wife in Edo State.

The former Labour Party presidential candidate, in a statement on X.com on Saturday, wrote: “When I say we should declare war on the economy, power, and insecurity, some people spin the narrative, while others complain."

"But what else can we do? In the last 24 hours, several people have been kidnapped across Nigeria, including about 20 dental students from Maiduguri and Jos in Benue State.

"An Anambra State Commissioner and his wife were abducted in Edo State, and others travelling with them were killed. These are just a few of the many tragic incidents happening across the country.

"We cannot continue living in fear, poverty, and darkness. It's time for bold action, collective resolve, and a united front against these challenges.

"We must declare war on this massive insecurity and other ills that threaten or society and work tirelessly to build a safer, more prosperous, and just society for all," he said.

It had been earlier reported that unknown gunmen on Friday reportedly kidnapped the Commissioner for Youths Development in Anambra State, Agha Mba, and his wife.

It was learnt that one of his aides from Onitsha was also killed during the attack en route to the wedding of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s daughter in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

CEOAFRICA reported earlier on Friday that over 20 medical and dental students and a House Officer were kidnapped in Benue State while en route to the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) annual convention in Enugu.

The students, from the University of Maiduguri and University of Jos, were travelling together when they were ambushed by gunmen around 5:30pm in the Otukpo area of Benue State.