Peter Blasts Security Forces at #OccupyNASS Day 2: “If They Had This Number of Security in Kwara, 170 People Wouldn’t Have Been Killed”

By Emmanuel Kwada

Prominent activist and good governance advocate Randy-Peter Akah, one of the key leaders of the #OccupyNASS protest, sharply criticized Nigeria’s security forces on the second day of demonstrations at the National Assembly complex.

He highlighted the heavy deployment of police and other personnel to manage the peaceful gathering, contrasting it with the inadequate protection in rural Kwara State, where gunmen recently massacred over 170 people.

Addressing security operatives directly amid the ongoing protest, Akah popularly known as Peter Akah or “Peter for Nigeria” questioned the priorities of the authorities.

“If there was this level of security in Kwara, will they kill up to 100 people? What are they doing here? Protecting who? They are here to protect their oppressors,” Akah declared, in remarks captured in videos circulating from the protest site. He further emphasized: “If they had this number of security in Kwara, 170 people wouldn’t have been killed.”

The statement referenced the devastating attack earlier this month in Woro community and surrounding villages in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State. Suspected jihadist gunmen, reportedly linked to elements operating from nearby forests, raided the area, setting homes and structures ablaze, shooting residents, and abducting others.

Initial reports from the Nigerian Red Cross confirmed at least 162 deaths, with community leaders, lawmakers, and subsequent updates pushing the toll beyond 170 as more bodies were recovered.

The incident, described as one of the deadliest in recent Nigerian history, has intensified concerns over the spread of insecurity beyond traditional hotspots in the northeast to north-central regions.

Akah’s pointed criticism came during Day 2 of the #OccupyNASS movement, where protesters are demanding the reinstatement of mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill — a provision the Senate recently rejected. Demonstrators, including civil society organizations and supporters, have gathered to press for electoral reforms to ensure “our votes must count” ahead of the 2027 elections.

Heavy security barricades blocked access to the National Assembly premises, leading Akah and others to address the crowd from outside while chanting for accountability and an end to alleged vote manipulation.

As a vocal human rights activist and leader in the protest, Akah has been instrumental in mobilizing participants and amplifying calls for change. His comments underscore widespread public anger over perceived misallocation of security resources: heavily guarding political institutions and events in urban centers while leaving vulnerable rural communities exposed to repeated violence.

The #OccupyNASS protest continues to build momentum both on the ground and online, with participants vowing sustained pressure until demands are met. No immediate official response has come from the Nigeria Police Force, the Presidency, or Senate leadership to Akah’s specific comparison regarding the Kwara tragedy.

As the movement persists, the protest highlights intersecting crises of electoral integrity and national security, fueling demands for the government to prioritize citizen safety and democratic safeguards alike. The nation remains on edge amid growing calls for urgent reforms.