The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 general election, Peter Obi, has strongly condemned the recent wave of killings in Benue and Plateau states, warning that Nigeria cannot achieve lasting peace and development while innocent citizens continue to lose their lives to violence.
In a statement shared on his X account on Monday, Obi expressed deep concern over the latest attacks, describing them as another painful reminder of the country’s worsening security crisis.
He referenced reports of the killing of at least 16 people in the Otukpo-Nobi community of Benue State, as well as the murder of nine members of a single family, including a two-month-old baby, in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
According to the former Anambra State governor, the recurring attacks in Benue, Plateau and other parts of Nigeria have left countless families grieving, displaced thousands of residents and destroyed livelihoods.
“For years, families in Benue, Plateau and many other communities have lived under the constant threat of fear, violence and displacement. Mothers have buried their children, children have become orphans overnight, farmers have abandoned their farmlands and entire communities have been devastated. We cannot continue to accept this tragic reality as normal because it is not,” Obi stated.
He stressed that every Nigerian life is valuable, noting that those killed were not just numbers but fathers, mothers, children, breadwinners and future leaders whose lives were abruptly cut short.
Obi reiterated that safeguarding lives and property remains the foremost responsibility of any government, urging authorities to strengthen the nation’s security framework.
He called for a shift from routine condemnations after attacks to a proactive security strategy driven by intelligence gathering, rapid response and accountability.
“The time has come to move beyond routine condemnations after every attack. Nigerians deserve a security architecture that is proactive rather than reactive. Those responsible for these atrocities must be identified, arrested and prosecuted. The culture of impunity must come to an end,” he said.
Obi also extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones, as well as the governments and people of Benue and Plateau states.
He urged Nigerians to unite against insecurity, insisting that the crisis should not be viewed through a political lens but as a humanitarian challenge requiring urgent national action.
“This is not about politics; it is about humanity. We must come together to secure our nation and restore hope to our people. No country can develop when its citizens live in fear, and no society can prosper when innocent blood continues to flow unchecked,” Obi added.
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