The Labour Party (LP) has decried the bloodbath in Unguwar Mantau village of Katsina State, where 30 worshippers were killed during morning prayers, and more than 20 residents were burnt in their homes, and 76 villagers were abducted. 

“Though we welcome news of the abductees’ rescue, this horror is yet another reminder that Nigeria’s security system has collapsed,” it added through a statement yesterday in Abuja by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Prince Tony Akeni.
 
The party said its Katsina chapter reported that within 48 hours of the massacre, bandits overran over a dozen communities, imposing a N15 million levy, and restricting farmers to working only between 8am and 1pm — or risk death. 
 
It went on: “Despite families already paying ‘protection fees’, kidnappings and raids continue unchecked. Communities are emptying, not because of famine, but because of fear.
 
“This is intolerable in a country that spends trillions yearly on security. In 2025, Tinubu’s government allocated N6.57 trillion for defence. Yet Nigerians are being killed and kidnapped at rates higher than those of countries at war. 

“What Nigerians get in return are condolence visits, empty promises, and leaders more visible at funerals than on the frontline of security. The opposition party cautioned the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to start delivering results. 
 
The statement advised President Tinubu to also accept responsibility, stating: “His primary duty as Commander-in-Chief is to safeguard Nigerian lives. If he cannot deliver this most basic obligation, he must act decisively — or resign.”

IN a related development, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reiterated its call on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in Katsina and Zamfara to address the spate of insecurity in both states.

Its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, remade the appeal yesterday when he appeared as a guest on a live programme. He stressed that declaring a state of emergency would not mean removing elected governors, but applying extraordinary measures to restore peace.

The ADC’s spokesman also reacted to comments by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, urging Nigerians to learn survival and self-defence skills, stressing that the government still bears the primary duty of protecting citizens.