The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has faulted the claim by Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, that Nigeria has become a “killing field” with over 10,000 deaths recorded under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the party’s spokesperson, Mogaji Seye Oladejo, described Obi’s remarks as baseless, sensationalist, and a distortion of reality aimed at scoring political points.

According to Oladejo, the Nigerian Armed Forces have made significant gains under Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, dismantling terror infrastructure and restoring stability to previously threatened communities.

He cited figures from the Defence Ministry’s midterm report and Defence Headquarters’ two-year summary, which showed that 9,415 terrorists had been neutralised, 3,159 suspects arrested, and 5,449 hostages rescued.

The APC also highlighted major military operations, including recent airstrikes in Katsina and Borno states. In Katsina, 76 hostages—some abducted during a mosque attack—were freed, though one child died during the rescue.

In Borno, precision airstrikes killed 35 militants and restored critical ground communications, while a weeklong offensive earlier in the year neutralised 76 extremists, arrested 72 suspects, and rescued eight hostages.

Oladejo further pointed to advancements in military hardware, noting that the Nigerian Air Force has acquired 24 M-346 attack jets and 10 AW-109 Trekker helicopters, flown nearly 9,928 sorties, and logged 15,915 flying hours in support of counterinsurgency and anti-sabotage missions.

He added that the Nigerian Army and Navy had also received modern tactical vehicles and patrol vessels to strengthen security operations.

He said local defence manufacturing had expanded, with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) producing over 4.6 million rounds of ammunition, 53 mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles, 14,040 protective gear units, and drones, thereby reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.

The APC insisted that Obi’s claims were unfounded, stressing that credible data and verifiable successes demonstrated otherwise.

“It is profoundly disappointing that Mr. Obi would resort to fear-mongering rather than engage constructively,” Oladejo said.

He added, “The Lagos APC stands firmly behind the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and our military heroes. We invite Mr. Obi and others to acknowledge the progress made or risk being left behind in baseless political dramatics.”