The Nigeria Democratic Conongress presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned the latest wave of deadly attacks in Benue and Plateau states.
He stated that the persistent killings are heartbreaking and a grim reflection of the country’s worsening security crisis.
In a statement released on Monday, Obi lamented the reported killing of at least 16 people in the Otukpo-Nobi community of Benue State, alongside the murder of nine members of the same family, including a two-month-old baby, in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
He said the recurring bloodshed had become unacceptable, stressing that no nation could make meaningful progress while innocent citizens continued to lose their lives in such brutal circumstances.
“The tragic news of yet another round of killings in Benue and Plateau States is both painful and deeply disturbing. The reported murder of at least 16 innocent Nigerians in the Otukpo-Nobi community of Benue State, alongside the horrific killing of nine members of the same family, including a two-month-old baby, in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, is a heartbreaking reminder of the deepening insecurity confronting our nation,” Obi said.
He expressed sympathy with the bereaved families and the affected communities, noting that the continued attacks demanded more than words of condemnation.
“My heart goes out to the grieving families and the affected communities. No Nigerian should have to live in constant fear or endure the repeated trauma of losing loved ones to senseless violence. The frequency and brutality of these attacks should trouble every conscientious leader and citizen.”
The former Anambra State governor urged governments at all levels to move beyond routine reactions and implement practical measures capable of protecting lives and restoring public confidence.
“We must move beyond routine condemnations and take deliberate, coordinated steps to secure our communities. Protecting the lives and property of Nigerians remains the foremost responsibility of government, and every effort must be directed towards ending this tragic cycle of violence.”
Obi also appealed to security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend those behind the attacks and ensure they faced justice, warning that impunity would only fuel further violence.
“I call on our security agencies to intensify efforts to identify, apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators of these heinous crimes. Justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done.”
He prayed for the repose of the victims and urged Nigerians to remain united in confronting the country’s security challenges.
“May the souls of all those who lost their lives rest in peace, and may God grant strength and comfort to their families. As a nation, we must unite in our resolve to build a Nigeria where every citizen can live in peace, safety and dignity.”
