The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi on Sunday condemned the recent killings and abductions in parts of Nigeria’s North-Central region, calling on governments at all levels to take urgent action to protect vulnerable communities.
In a statement on X, the former Anambra State governor described the spate of attacks in Benue, Plateau and Niger states as a national security emergency, warning that Nigeria must not allow the worsening violence to become the norm.
He said the attacks in the three North-Central states were part of a wider pattern of insecurity across the country and should no longer be treated as isolated incidents.
“What is happening to our country? In recent days, deadly attacks have struck Benue, Plateau and Niger States, three contiguous states in Nigeria’s North-Central region, Obi said.
“In Mangu, Plateau State, at least 23 people were officially reported killed in the Jwak Maitumbi attack, while residents put the toll above 30. More than 45 houses were reportedly destroyed.
“In Borgu, Niger State, recent attacks reportedly killed over 40 people and abducted more than 100, though the figures remain contested. This comes amid continuing violence in Benue, where communities face repeated killings, abductions and the destruction of homes and livelihoods.”
The full statement is published below…
Nigeria Cannot Become a Killing Field
What is happening to our country?
In recent days, deadly attacks have struck Benue, Plateau and Niger States, three contiguous states in Nigeria’s North-Central region.
In Mangu, Plateau State, at least 23 people were officially reported killed in the Jwak Maitumbi attack, while residents put the toll above 30. More than 45 houses were reportedly destroyed. In Borgu, Niger State, recent attacks reportedly killed over 40 people and abducted more than 100, though the figures remain contested.
This comes amid continuing violence in Benue, where communities face repeated killings, abductions and the destruction of homes and livelihoods.
Nigeria is not officially at war, yet citizens are being attacked in their villages, abducted after prayers, driven from their homes and stripped of their farms.
What is happening in Benue, Plateau and Niger is similar to what is happening elsewhere in the country, with some attacks even going unreported. The violence across these states must no longer be treated as isolated incidents. It is a national security emergency requiring urgent and coordinated action.
I urge governments at all levels to wake up to their responsibility and take urgent and decisive action to end this madness once and for all.
Government must protect vulnerable communities, improve intelligence and rapid-response capabilities, rescue abducted Nigerians, and arrest and prosecute those responsible.
We cannot keep counting bodies after every attack. We must prevent these attacks before they happen.
Protecting lives and property is the most basic duty of government. Nigerians deserve nothing less.
Nigeria must not become a killing field. -PO