Our Reporter, Abuja
Human rights lawyer and scholar, Chidi Odinkalu, has condemned the spate of killings in parts of the country, accusing Nigeria’s political leadership of neglecting urgent security concerns while attending official engagements abroad.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Odinkalu decried what he described as a worsening security crisis, citing deadly incidents in Borno State and Plateau State.
According to him, over 23 Nigerians were killed in bomb attacks in Borno State, with more than 108 others injured, while over 15 persons were reportedly slaughtered in Plateau State.
The former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission expressed concern that key government officials were out of the country at a time of escalating violence.
“Meanwhile, the Finance Minister, Defence Minister, Justice Minister are in London and most of the cabinet are in London,” he wrote.
Odinkalu further claimed that nearly all state governors were also in the United Kingdom to receive President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is currently on a visit to London.
He criticised what he described as excessive attention being paid to ceremonial engagements abroad while security challenges persist at home.
“They are all swooning over a state visit. The tragedy of Nigeria is on full advertisement internationally,” he added.
Odinkalu also took a swipe at the opposition, accusing it of failing to provide a coherent response to the situation.
“Back at home, the opposition so-called cannot even muster an articulate comeback. This is beyond abnormal; it is sick,” he stated.
