Peter Obi’s Misjudgment: Mislabeling Supersport Killers Threatens Nigeria’s Image
Former British diplomat David Roberts has criticized the recent killings of a SuperSport TV crew on the Ihiala-Orlu Road in Anambra State, labeling the incident an unfortunate act of criminality. In a statement on Monday, he extended his condolences to the victims’ families and their media organizations, highlighting that this violence occurred despite ongoing efforts by security agencies to combat crime in the country.
The tragic event unfolded last Tuesday when armed assailants attacked the crew en route to Uyo, Akwa Ibom, for a Nigeria-Libya Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, resulting in the deaths of two crew members and a police officer.
In response to the incident, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi attributed the violence to “non-state actors,” who he claims are causing distress for innocent citizens. He condemned the attack on his social media platform, stating, “Non-state actors continue to inflict pain and sorrow on families whose loved ones are often kidnapped and brutally murdered.”
Roberts, who previously served as director of the British Council in Nigeria, argued that labeling the perpetrators as non-state actors mischaracterizes the event. He contended that this terminology suggests the incident was linked to terrorism or organized separatist movements, which he believes misrepresents the nature of the crime.
He explained, “Describing these criminals as ‘non-state actors’ could inadvertently lead the international community to view this as a terrorist act, further stigmatizing Nigeria.” Roberts emphasized the need for clarity, noting that this was a random act of violence by criminals rather than an organized terrorist act.
He warned that using such terminology could negatively impact Nigeria’s reputation, potentially affecting its score on the upcoming Global Terrorism Index. He urged prominent figures, like Obi, to consider the implications of their words on Nigeria’s international standing when discussing domestic issues.
