Plateau, Benue killings: Nigeria cannot prosper while cycle of bloodshed remain unchecked – Obi

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election, has strongly condemned the renewed wave of mass killings in Benue and Plateau states.

Obi gave the reaction in a statement released via his social media handles on Monday, declaring that “no country can develop when its citizens live in fear, and no society can prosper when innocent blood continues to flow unchecked.”

He emphasized that these regular occurrences are a grave national tragedy and demanded an immediate end to what he described as a routine cycle of bloodshed.

His statement came as a reaction to the killing of at least 18 people in separate attacks in Benue State and the murder of nine members of a family, including a two-month-old baby, in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The former Anambra State governor described the killings as painful and deeply disturbing, noting that the incidents are a grim reminder of the persistent insecurity that has continued to plague communities in Benue, Plateau and other parts of the country.

“For years, families in Benue, Plateau and other communities across Nigeria have lived under the constant shadow of fear, violence and displacement.

“Mothers have buried their children, children have become orphans overnight, farmers have abandoned their lands, and entire communities have been left devastated.

“We cannot continue to accept this tragic cycle as though it were normal. It is not,” Obi said.

He lamented that many families had lost loved ones, while farmers had abandoned their farmlands and entire communities had been uprooted by repeated attacks.

“Every Nigerian life is sacred, and every life lost is one too many. These are not mere statistics; they are fathers, mothers, children, breadwinners and future leaders whose dreams have been violently cut short,” he stated.

“The primary responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property. Every Nigerian life is sacred, and every life lost is one too many.

“These are not mere statistics; they are fathers, mothers, children, breadwinners and future leaders whose dreams have been violently cut short.

“The time has come to move beyond routine condemnations after every attack. Nigerians deserve a security architecture that is proactive rather than reactive, driven by intelligence, rapid response and accountability.

“Those responsible for these atrocities must be identified, arrested and prosecuted. The culture of impunity must end.”

Obi extended his condolences to the bereaved families as well as the governments and people of Benue and Plateau states, praying for comfort for those who lost loved ones and strength for affected communities.

“This is not about politics; it is about humanity. We must summon the collective will to secure our nation and restore hope to our people,” he said.

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖