The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has described as depressing and devastating, the death of 36 soldiers in an ambush and the crash of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) MI17 helicopter in Niger State on Monday.

Obi who deplored the level of insecurity in most parts of the country said the situation has continued to embarrass and cost the nation precious lives and properties, with the attendant economic costs.

The two-term former governor of Anambra State said this in a statement issued on Thursday, August 17, 2023.

He also expressed sympathy to the families of the patriotic slain soldiers who, he said, have paid the supreme price for their fatherland in a very painful way, fighting against insecurity in the country.

He said: “The continual loss of lives, of our military men and other citizens, to insecurity is very painful and disgusting.

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“We must unite as a people, to subdue this monster of insecurity threatening our collective existence, without which, no development will be experienced in the country.”

While commiserating with the military over the sad incidents, Obi the agency not to be dispirited over the challenges its operatives face, but to see them as the inevitable path to go before achieving a safe and secure nation for the citizens.

He added: “I commiserate with our military agencies whose personnel have continued to pay the supreme price, for peace and security in our nation. Remain courageous and resilient in the fight.

“I would also like to encourage a full-scale investigation to be carried out to unravel the cause of the helicopter crash as a way of preventing future occurrences.”

Obi, however, restated his commitment to ensuring safe and secure Nigerians if given access to power, stressing that fighting insecurity in Nigeria will remain his top priority if he gets into power.

The LP presidential candidate stated: “Fighting insecurity, squarely, remains my priority in the New Nigeria, and so should it be, for long-lasting peace and progress in Nigeria.

“We will never give up on our nation. It is our greatest heritage in whose service all our sacrifices become noble acts.”

The Star