Former Anambra State Governor and presidential hopeful of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has said he would have personally led an operation into the forest where abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State were kept if he were Nigeria’s President.


Obi said he would not have allowed the victims to remain in captivity for several weeks, adding that he would have moved quickly to ensure their release, even if the rescue mission came with risks.

The politician made the comment during an interview on State of the Nation with Peter Obi aired on Afia TV’s Eastern Eye programme and hosted by Alex Ogbodo on Thursday.

The Oriire abduction happened on May 15, 2026, after several pupils and teachers were taken by gunmen in Oyo State. The victims were held for about 56 days before security agencies rescued them in July.

Obi criticised the response of the Federal Government to the incident, saying the President should have taken a more direct approach during the period the victims were held captive. He questioned why action was not taken earlier despite the location of the kidnappers being within Nigeria.

The former governor said he would have travelled to the area within days of the incident and taken steps to end the situation.

He added that the country needed leaders who would take responsibility during security challenges instead of waiting for prolonged negotiations or delayed action.

Obi also raised concerns about the way security operations are handled in Nigeria, saying the public should be allowed to see the outcome of arrests made during operations against criminals.

He compared Nigeria’s approach with other countries where arrested suspects are sometimes presented publicly after major security operations, saying information about such actions in Nigeria is often kept away from citizens.

Speaking about his time as Anambra governor, Obi recalled how his administration tackled criminal activities in forests across the state. He said he consulted former President Olusegun Obasanjo before taking steps to clear areas that had become hideouts for criminals.

Obi said leadership required someone to take full responsibility and make firm decisions when facing serious challenges. He added that anyone seeking to lead must be prepared to handle difficult situations and accept the risks that come with the position.