Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has called on the Federal Government to urgently address the rising insecurity in parts of the North-Central, warning that Nigeria must not be allowed to degenerate into a “killing field.”
Obi made the call in a statement shared on Sunday while reacting to recent attacks in Benue, Plateau and Niger states, where several people have reportedly been killed, abducted and displaced.
He described the situation as a national security emergency and urged governments at all levels to take stronger measures to protect vulnerable communities and prevent further loss of lives.
According to him, the attacks across the three states should not be treated as isolated incidents, given the growing pattern of violence and displacement in different parts of the country.
“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.
He cited the attack in Jwak Maitumbi, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, where at least 23 deaths were officially reported, while residents reportedly put the death toll above 30. He also noted reports that more than 45 houses were destroyed.
Obi further referenced attacks in Borgu, Niger State, where reports indicated that more than 40 people were killed and over 100 abducted, although he acknowledged that the figures remained disputed.
He said the continuing violence in Benue had also left communities exposed to 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,” he stated.
The former governor called for improved intelligence gathering, stronger rapid-response mechanisms and coordinated security operations to prevent attacks before they occur.
He also demanded the rescue of abducted Nigerians and the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the violence.
“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,” Obi said.
He stressed that the government should shift its approach from reacting to attacks after casualties have occurred to preventing them through effective intelligence and timely intervention.
“We cannot keep counting bodies after every attack. We must prevent these attacks before they happen,” he said.
Obi added that the protection of lives and property remained the fundamental responsibility of government, insisting that Nigerians deserved greater security.
“Protecting lives and property is the most basic duty of government. Nigerians deserve nothing less. Nigeria must not become a killing field,” he said.
