The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has condemned the recent killings and abductions reported in parts of Nigeria’s North-Central region, urging governments at all levels to take urgent and decisive action to protect vulnerable communities.
Obi described the attacks in Benue, Plateau and Niger states as a national security emergency, warning that the country must not allow the rising wave of violence to become normal.
The former Anambra State governor made the call in a statement shared on his X handle on Sunday, where he expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation across the affected states.
According to Obi, the recent attacks in the three North-Central states should not be viewed as isolated incidents, but as part of a broader pattern of insecurity affecting communities across Nigeria.
He said the situation had reached a point where urgent intervention was required to protect lives, homes and livelihoods.
“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 recent attack in Jwak Maitumbi, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, where he said at least 23 people were officially reported killed.
Obi added that residents had put the death toll at more than 30, while over 45 houses were reportedly destroyed during the attack.
He also raised concerns over reported attacks in Borgu, Niger State, where more than 40 people were reportedly killed and over 100 others abducted.
However, he acknowledged that the figures from the Niger State attacks remain contested.
The NDC presidential candidate further noted that communities in Benue State continue to face recurring attacks, killings and abductions, alongside the destruction of homes and sources of livelihood.
Obi warned that the continued violence posed a serious threat to the safety and stability of affected communities and called for stronger action from the authorities.
He stressed the need for governments to move beyond treating individual attacks as isolated incidents and address the wider security challenges confronting the country.
The former governor’s comments come amid renewed concerns over insecurity in parts of the North-Central region, where communities have continued to report attacks, displacement and loss of property.
Obi maintained that protecting citizens must remain a primary responsibility of government, urging authorities to take immediate steps to prevent further loss of lives and restore confidence among affected communities.
