Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has raised the alarm over the worsening wave of killings, abductions and destruction of communities across Nigeria, warning that the country must not be allowed to degenerate into a “killing field.”
Obi condemned the recent deadly attacks in Benue, Plateau and Niger states, describing the situation as a national security emergency requiring urgent and coordinated action from governments at all levels.
In a statement reacting to the attacks, Obi questioned the deteriorating security situation in the country.
“What is happening to our country?” he asked.
According to him, deadly attacks have recently hit three contiguous states in the North-Central region, with communities increasingly exposed to killings, abductions, displacement and destruction of livelihoods.
Obi cited the reported attack on Jwak Maitumbi in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, where at least 23 people were officially reported killed, while residents reportedly put the death toll above 30.
He also said more than 45 houses were reportedly destroyed in the attack.
In Borgu, Niger State, Obi said recent attacks reportedly claimed more than 40 lives and resulted in the abduction of over 100 people, although he acknowledged that the figures remained contested.
The former governor said the violence was not confined to isolated incidents, stressing that communities in Benue had also continued to suffer repeated attacks, killings, abductions and the destruction of homes and farms.
“ 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 said.
Obi warned that the scale and frequency of the attacks demanded a fundamental change in the country’s approach to national security.
“What is happening in Benue, Plateau and Niger is similar to what is happening elsewhere in the country, with some attacks even going unreported,” he said.
According to him, the violence must no longer be dismissed as a collection of isolated security incidents.
“The violence across these states must no longer be treated as isolated incidents. It is a national security emergency requiring urgent and coordinated action,” Obi declared.
He urged the Federal Government, state governments and other relevant authorities to urgently wake up to their constitutional responsibilities and take decisive steps to halt the killings.
Obi specifically called for stronger protection of vulnerable communities, improved intelligence gathering, faster security responses, the rescue of abducted Nigerians and the arrest and prosecution of those behind the attacks.
“We cannot keep counting bodies after every attack. We must prevent these attacks before they happen,” he warned.
The NDC presidential candidate stressed that the protection of lives and property remained the most fundamental responsibility of government, insisting that Nigerians should not have to live in constant fear of being attacked in their communities.
“Protecting lives and property is the most basic duty of government. Nigerians deserve nothing less,” he said.
Obi concluded with a stark warning to the authorities: “Nigeria must not become a killing field.”
