Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called for urgent and coordinated action to stop the worsening insecurity across Nigeria, warning that the country must not become a “killing field”.
Obi made the call in a statement posted on his official X handle on Sunday, August 23, following a series of deadly attacks in Benue, Plateau and Niger States.
The three states, located in Nigeria’s North-Central region, have witnessed recent attacks resulting in deaths, abductions and the destruction of homes and livelihoods.
Obi cited the recent attack in Jwak Maitumbi, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, where at least 23 people were officially reported killed. He said residents put the death toll above 30, while more than 45 houses were reportedly destroyed.
He also referenced recent 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 contested.
“What is happening to our country ?”, he asked.
The former Anambra State governor said the attacks had come against the backdrop of continuing violence in Benue, where communities have faced repeated killings, abductions and destruction of property.
“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 wrote.
According to him, the violence in Benue, Plateau and Niger reflects a wider security crisis affecting other parts of the country, with some incidents allegedly going unreported.
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He urged authorities to stop treating the attacks as isolated incidents and described the situation as a national security emergency requiring immediate intervention.
“The violence across these states must no longer be treated as isolated incidents. It is a national security emergency requiring urgent and coordinated action,” he stated.
Obi called on governments at all levels to take responsibility for protecting citizens and ending 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.”
He said the government must protect vulnerable communities, strengthen intelligence and rapid-response capabilities, rescue abducted Nigerians and ensure that those responsible for attacks are arrested and prosecuted.
Obi also stressed the need for preventive security measures rather than relying on responses after attacks have occurred.
“We cannot keep counting bodies after every attack. We must prevent these attacks before they happen,” he warned.
He described the protection of lives and property as the most fundamental responsibility of government, stating that, “Protecting lives and property is the most basic duty of government. Nigerians deserve nothing less.”
Obi concluded with a warning over the country’s worsening security situation. “Nigeria must not become a killing field. -PO”