Peter Obi has condemned ethnic profiling in Nigeria, insisting that criminality transcends tribal and regional boundaries. The presidential candidate said Nigerians must reject narratives that link crime to any particular ethnic group.
Obi made the comments while addressing the growing tendency to associate criminal behaviour with specific regions or peoples. He argued that this approach deepens divisions and prevents the country from tackling the real drivers of crime.
"Crime has no tribe," Obi said. "When we profile people by their ethnicity, we miss the actual causes of crime. Poverty, lack of education, unemployment, and desperation drive people to crime, not where they come from."
The former Anambra governor called on Nigerians to stop allowing politicians and commentators to use ethnic narratives to divide the country. He said such divisions weaken Nigeria's ability to respond to security challenges with unity and common purpose.
Obi also pointed out that criminal elements exist in every region of the country. He said focusing on ethnicity instead of individual responsibility allows criminals to hide behind group identity while law-abiding citizens of the same ethnic group face unfair suspicion.
"We need to judge people by their actions, not their origin," he said. "A criminal from the North is still a criminal. A criminal from the South is still a criminal. The solution is to deal with individuals who break the law, not to condemn entire communities."
The presidential candidate urged security agencies to approach crime investigation based on evidence and facts rather than ethnic assumptions. He said the police and military should be trained to focus on criminal behaviour and patterns, not on stereotypes about which groups are more prone to crime.
Obi's statement comes as Nigeria grapples with rising insecurity across multiple regions. Banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery have affected communities in the North and South. Some commentators have attempted to link these crimes to specific regions, fuelling ethnic tensions.
Civil society organisations have also criticised ethnic profiling in media reporting on crime. They say such reporting inflames communal tensions and makes it harder for communities to work together on security.
Obi said Nigeria's strength lies in its diversity, not in divisions. He called on all Nigerians to embrace this reality and work towards solutions that benefit everyone, regardless of ethnic background.
