The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has strongly condemned the latest wave of killings in Benue and Plateau states, describing the attacks as heartbreaking and a tragic reminder of Nigeria's worsening security crisis.
In a statement shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, the former Anambra State governor reacted to the killing of at least 18 people in Benue State and the murder of nine members of the same family, including a two-month-old baby, in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Obi lamented that innocent Nigerians continue to lose their lives despite repeated promises to tackle insecurity, insisting that the country can no longer accept the recurring bloodshed as normal.
"The reported murders are a painful reminder that the relentless cycle of bloodshed in parts of our country has persisted for far too long," Obi said.
He noted that for years, communities in Benue, Plateau and other parts of the country have lived under constant fear, with families displaced, farmlands abandoned and countless lives cut short.
"We cannot continue to accept this tragic cycle as though it were normal. It is not. 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."
The former Labour Party presidential candidate called on the authorities to move beyond issuing statements after every attack and instead adopt a proactive, intelligence-driven security strategy capable of preventing future attacks.
According to Obi, security agencies must focus on rapid response, intelligence gathering and ensuring that those behind the killings are identified, arrested and prosecuted.
"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," he stated.
Obi also expressed condolences to the bereaved families and the governments of Benue and Plateau states, praying for comfort for those mourning and speedy recovery for those injured.
He stressed that the issue transcends politics, warning that no nation can achieve meaningful development when its citizens live in fear.
"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. No country can develop when its citizens live in fear, and no society can prosper when innocent blood continues to flow unchecked."
The latest attacks have once again renewed concerns over the persistent insecurity in parts of Nigeria, with many Nigerians calling for stronger measures to protect lives and property.