Fresh Benue, Plateau Killings: Obi says condemnations are no longer enough 

Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi has challenged the Federal Government to move beyond repeated condemnations and take decisive action against the wave of killings in Benue and Plateau states.

Obi spoke on Monday while reacting to separate weekend attacks that reportedly claimed at least 27 lives across the two North-Central states.

In Benue, suspected gunmen killed two farmers in Akpachi before launching another attack on the Otukpo-Nobi community, where at least 16 people were killed and several others injured.

Nine members of one family were also killed when gunmen invaded Kum and Wereng-Camp communities in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The victims reportedly included an infant, while a community leader sustained serious injuries during the assault.

Reacting in a statement posted on his official X account, Obi described the renewed bloodshed as painful and disturbing.

The former Anambra State governor said Nigerians must not be forced to accept repeated killings, displacement and destruction of livelihoods as a normal part of life.

According to him, the victims were not merely figures in casualty reports but parents, children, breadwinners and future leaders whose lives had been cut short.

Obi said protecting lives and property remained the most important responsibility of any government.

He demanded a security system built around intelligence gathering, swift intervention and accountability rather than reactions after communities had already been attacked.

“The time has come to move beyond routine condemnations after every attack,” he said.

Obi also called for the identification, arrest and prosecution of those responsible, insisting that the culture of allowing attackers to escape justice must end.

He urged the Federal Government and security agencies to adopt a proactive strategy capable of preventing attacks before more lives are lost.

The NDC presidential candidate extended his condolences to the bereaved families and the governments and people of Benue and Plateau states.

Obi, who secured the NDC presidential ticket in May, is expected to challenge Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

The Benue attacks sparked protests in Otukpo, where angry residents reportedly carried victims’ bodies to the palace of the Och’Idoma and blocked major roads while demanding stronger government action.

The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the attacks and said security had been reinforced as authorities worked to evacuate survivors and provide medical assistance.

Residents of the affected Plateau communities have also appealed for increased security deployment amid fears of further attacks.