ICYMI: Obi warns Nigeria must not become a ‘killing field’ amid rising attacks

Crime Diary, Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has expressed concern over the recent upsurge in killings and kidnappings across the country, particularly in the North-Central region.

Obi, in a statement issued on August 23 titled “Nigeria Cannot Become a Killing Field: What is happening to our country?”, said deadly attacks had occurred in recent days in Benue, Plateau and Niger states, describing the three states as contiguous parts of Nigeria’s North-Central region.

The former Anambra State governor cited reported attacks in Mangu, Plateau State, and Borgu, Niger State, as examples of the worsening security situation.

According to Obi, at least 23 people were officially reported killed in the Jwak Maitumbi attack in Mangu, although residents reportedly put the death toll above 30. He added that more than 45 houses were reportedly destroyed.

In Borgu, Niger State, Obi said recent attacks reportedly killed more than 40 people and led to the abduction of over 100 others, while noting that the figures remained contested.

“This comes amid continuing violence in Benue, where communities face repeated killings, abductions and the destruction of homes and livelihoods,” he said.

Obi argued that the scale and frequency of the attacks required the government to treat the situation as a broader national security emergency rather than as isolated incidents.

“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.

He further warned that the violence was not limited to the three North-Central states, noting that similar attacks were occurring in other parts of the country, with some incidents allegedly going unreported.

“What is happening in Benue, Plateau and Niger is similar to what is happening elsewhere in the country, with some attacks even going unreported. 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 said.

Against this backdrop, the former governor called on the Federal Government and other levels of government to take what he described as urgent and decisive action to protect citizens.

“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.

Obi called for stronger protection of vulnerable communities, improved intelligence gathering and rapid-response capabilities, as well as intensified efforts to rescue abducted Nigerians and arrest and prosecute those responsible for the attacks.

“Government must protect vulnerable communities, improve intelligence and rapid-response capabilities, rescue abducted Nigerians, and arrest and prosecute those responsible.

“We cannot keep counting bodies after every attack. We must prevent these attacks before they happen,” he said.

He maintained that protecting lives and property remained the fundamental responsibility of government and urged authorities to do more to guarantee the safety of Nigerians.

“Protecting lives and property is the most basic duty of government. Nigerians deserve nothing less.

“Nigeria must not become a killing field,” Obi declared.

The statement comes amid a renewed Federal Government response to the security situation. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has also condemned the recent attacks and directed security agencies to launch coordinated operations to rescue victims of the abductions and strengthen the protection of affected communities.