Insecurity: Nigeria must not become a killing field, Obi tells FG

Presidential candidate Peter Obi has issued a stark warning against escalating violence in Nigeria's North-Central region, declaring that the country must not become a "killing field." Obi, representing the Nigeria Democratic Congress, condemned the recent spate of killings and abductions in Benue, Plateau, and Niger states, labeling the situation a national security emergency.

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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 a statement posted on his X account, Obi detailed the severity of the attacks. He cited reports of at least 23 people killed in the Jwak Maitumbi attack in Mangu, Plateau State, with residents estimating the toll higher, and over 45 houses destroyed. In Niger State's Borgu area, recent attacks reportedly claimed over 40 lives and resulted in more than 100 abductions, though figures remain contested. These incidents add to the ongoing violence in Benue, where communities face repeated killings, abductions, and destruction of property.

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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.

Obi highlighted the alarming reality that Nigerians are being attacked in their communities despite the country not being officially at war. He noted that citizens are being abducted after prayers, driven from their homes, and stripped of their livelihoods. He stressed that the violence in these three contiguous states should not be viewed as isolated incidents, as similar attacks are occurring across the country.

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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.

Urging governments at all levels to act decisively, Obi called for strengthened security measures, improved intelligence gathering, and enhanced rapid-response capabilities. He demanded the rescue of abducted Nigerians and the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the attacks. "We cannot keep counting bodies after every attack. We must prevent these attacks before they happen," Obi stated, emphasizing that protecting lives and property is the most fundamental duty of any government. He concluded, "Nigerians deserve nothing less. Nigeria must not become a killing field."

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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.