2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has reacted to reports of an accidental airstrike at Jilli Market along the Borno–Yobe border, describing the incident as a tragic development and a wake-up call for Nigeria’s defence strategy.

In a statement issued on Monday, Obi expressed condolences to the families of victims, as well as to the governments and people of the affected states.

He said he refrained from drawing conclusions, citing uncertainties surrounding the exact circumstances of the incident and the number of casualties.

“I extended my deepest condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the government and people of the affected states in this painful tragedy. May God grant eternal rest to the departed and comfort to all who are grieving.

“I have refrained from making any hasty conclusions on the matter, as the details remain unclear, including what exactly transpired and the confirmed casualty figures,” Obi said.

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However, he pointed out that such incidents are often linked to operational challenges within the military, including coordination gaps and outdated equipment.

“Such tragic incidents are often associated with a combination of factors, including operational constraints, coordination challenges, and limitations in equipment and ageing platforms,” he said.

Obi stressed the need for urgent investment in modern military hardware and continuous training of personnel to prevent similar occurrences.

“We have witnessed similar occurrences in Nigeria in the past, and this underscores the urgent need to invest in modern fighter jets, upgrade existing platforms, and ensure continuous, rigorous training and retraining of military personnel,” he stated.

While commending the efforts of security personnel, he urged continued support for troops engaged in combating insecurity.

“We must continue to stand in solidarity with our military personnel who risk their lives daily to keep Nigeria safe, while also insisting that they are properly equipped and fully supported,” he said.

Obi also called on Bola Ahmed Tinubu to demonstrate decisive leadership in addressing the country’s security challenges.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must rise fully to the immense challenge of national security. At this critical time, decisive leadership, strengthened coordination of security architecture, and sustained investment in modern defence capacity are required to address the worsening insecurity and prevent further loss of innocent lives,” he said.