NDC presidential candidate urges urgent security action, improved intelligence and prosecution of those behind killings and abductions.
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has condemned the recent killings and abductions in Benue, Plateau and Niger states, describing the escalating violence in the North-Central region as a national security emergency.
Obi, in a statement posted on his X handle on Sunday, warned that Nigeria must not allow recurring attacks on vulnerable communities to become normal.
He cited recent violence in Mangu, Plateau State, where at least 23 people were officially reported killed in the Jwak Maitumbi attack, while residents reportedly put the death toll above 30. More than 45 houses were also reportedly destroyed.
Obi also referenced attacks in Borgu, Niger State, where more than 40 people were reportedly killed and over 100 abducted, although he acknowledged that the figures remained contested.
He said the attacks reflected a wider pattern of insecurity across the country, noting that communities in Benue had also continued to face killings, abductions and destruction of homes and livelihoods.
Expressing concern that Nigerians were being attacked despite the country not being formally at war, Obi said citizens were being abducted from their communities and after prayers, while others were being forced from their homes and farms.
The former Anambra State governor urged governments at all levels to strengthen security measures, improve intelligence gathering and rapid-response capabilities, rescue abducted citizens and ensure that perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted.
“We cannot keep counting bodies after every attack. We must prevent these attacks before they happen,” Obi said.
He stressed that protecting lives and property remained the most fundamental responsibility of government and urged authorities to take decisive action before the violence worsens.
“Government must protect vulnerable communities, improve intelligence and rapid-response capabilities, rescue abducted Nigerians, and arrest and prosecute those responsible,” he added.
Obi warned that Nigeria must not allow insecurity to turn the country into what he described as a “killing field”, saying Nigerians deserved stronger protection from recurring violence.