Peter Obi: Troops that foiled kidnap attempt in Borno gave me a great birthday gift, but…
Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has hailed the gallantry of members of the armed forces who successfully thwarted a major kidnap attempt at the Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Monguno, Borno State in the early hours of Sunday, July 19, 2026, as a birthday gift that gladdened his heart.
Mr. Obi, former Governor of Anambra State, who turned 65 same Sunday, July 19, 2026, expressed “sincere gratitude” to the troops “for their dedication, courage, and sacrifice,” stressing in an X post that their effort is “a reminder that, despite our challenges, there are still men and women who stand daily in defence of our nation and its future.”
While calling for continued support for the armed forces, however, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) urged Nigerians to remain united in the collective pursuit of a safer and more secure country.
He noted, in the post titled “A Birthday Made Brighter by the Bravery of Our Troops at FGGC Monguno, Borno,” that the prompt, decisive, and courageous intervention of the gallant military personnel “prevented what could have been a devastating national tragedy and saved many innocent students from the trauma of abduction.”
According to him, “this act of bravery underscores the remarkable capability, resilience, and patriotism that our security personnel demonstrate when properly supported and equipped.”
He stressed that all “educational institutions must remain safe havens for learning and development, not targets for criminal elements. Every Nigerian child deserves the opportunity to pursue education without the fear of abduction or violence.”
Obi also pointed out that “while we celebrate this successful operation, it also reminds us of the urgent need to move beyond a reactive security posture towards a more proactive, intelligence-driven approach. Our security agencies must be provided with the necessary resources, motivation, and modern technology to detect and prevent threats before they occur.”
He equally expressed solidarity with the affected students, their families and the entire FGGC Monguno community.
