By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA(PRECISE POST) – Presidential candidate of National Democratic Congress in the forthcoming general election, Peter Obi, has described the recent spate of deadly attacks in Benue, Plateau and Niger states as a “national security emergency”, warning that Nigeria must not become a “killing field”.
Obi, in a statement posted on his X handle on Sunday, expressed concern over the escalating violence across the three contiguous North-Central states, saying Nigerians were being attacked, abducted and displaced despite the country not being officially at war.
He cited recent attacks 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. He also noted reports that more than 45 houses were destroyed.
According to Obi, recent attacks in Borgu, Niger State, reportedly claimed more than 40 lives and led to the abduction of over 100 people, although he acknowledged that the figures remained contested.
He said the situation in Benue was equally troubling, with communities facing repeated killings, abductions and 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,” Obi said.
The former Anambra State governor argued that the violence in Benue, Plateau and Niger should no longer be treated as isolated incidents, noting that similar attacks were occurring in other parts of the country, with some going unreported.
He therefore called for urgent and coordinated action by the Federal Government and other relevant authorities to address what he described as a national security emergency.
Obi urged governments at all levels to protect vulnerable communities, strengthen intelligence gathering and rapid-response capabilities, rescue abducted Nigerians and ensure that those responsible for the attacks were arrested and prosecuted.
“We cannot keep counting bodies after every attack. We must prevent these attacks before they happen,” he said.
According to him, the protection of lives and property remains the most basic responsibility of government, stressing that Nigerians deserved nothing less.
“Protecting lives and property is the most basic duty of government. Nigerians deserve nothing less. Nigeria must not become a killing field,” Obi said.
