Obi Condemns Benue, Plateau Killings, Calls for Proactive Security Response

Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned the recent killings in Benue and Plateau states, describing the attacks as painful, disturbing and unacceptable.

Obi, in a statement shared on his verified X account on Monday, reacted to the separate attacks that claimed the lives of several residents, including at least 18 people in Benue State and nine members of a family in Plateau State.

The Benue attacks occurred in Otukpo-Nobi community and Akpachi village in Ugboju District of Otukpo Local Government Area, while the Plateau incident involved the killing of members of a family in Riyom Local Government Area, including a two-month-old baby.

Expressing concern over the continued violence, Obi said many communities across Benue, Plateau and other parts of Nigeria have been forced to live under constant fear due to recurring attacks, displacement and insecurity.

“For years, families in Benue, Plateau and other communities across Nigeria have lived under the constant shadow of fear, violence and displacement.

“Mothers have buried their children, children have become orphans overnight, farmers have abandoned their lands, and entire communities have been left devastated.

“We cannot continue to accept this tragic cycle as though it were normal. It is not,” he said.

The NDC presidential candidate stressed that protecting lives and property remains the primary responsibility of government, adding that every Nigerian life lost represents a family and a future destroyed.

“The primary responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property. Every Nigerian life is sacred, and every life lost is one too many,” Obi stated.

“These are not mere statistics; they are fathers, mothers, children, breadwinners and future leaders whose dreams have been violently cut short.”

Obi called on security authorities to move beyond issuing statements after attacks and adopt a more preventive approach to tackling insecurity.

He urged the government to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve emergency response systems and ensure that those responsible for attacks are identified, arrested and prosecuted.

“The time has come to move beyond routine condemnations after every attack. Nigerians deserve a security architecture that is proactive rather than reactive, driven by intelligence, rapid response and accountability,” he said.

“Those responsible for these atrocities must be identified, arrested and prosecuted. The culture of impunity must end.”

The former Anambra governor also expressed sympathy to families who lost loved ones, as well as the governments and people of Benue and Plateau states.

“This is not about politics; it is about humanity. We must summon the collective will to secure our nation and restore hope to our people,” Obi said.

He warned that sustainable development would remain difficult if Nigerians continue to live in fear of attacks.

“No country can develop when its citizens live in fear, and no society can prosper when innocent blood continues to flow unchecked,” he added.

The latest incidents have renewed concerns over insecurity in parts of the North-Central region, with residents and stakeholders calling for stronger measures to prevent further attacks and protect vulnerable communities.