Nigeria must not become a killing field, Peter Obi warns

Chinedum Ukaegbu

2027 Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Peter Obi, has raised the alarm over the rising wave of killings, abductions and destruction of communities across parts of Nigeria, warning that the country must not be allowed to degenerate into a “killing field.”

Obi, reacting to recent deadly attacks in Benue, Plateau and Niger States, described the situation as a national security emergency requiring urgent, coordinated and decisive action by governments at all levels.

In a statement, the former presidential candidate expressed concern over what he described as the worsening insecurity confronting Nigerians, particularly residents of vulnerable rural communities.

“What is happening to our country?” Obi asked, as he drew attention to a series of deadly attacks recently recorded across the North-Central region.

According to him, Benue, Plateau and Niger States, which are contiguous states in Nigeria’s North-Central region, have witnessed attacks resulting in deaths, abductions, displacement and destruction of property.

Obi cited the recent attack in Jwak Maitumbi, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, where at least 23 people were officially reported killed, while residents reportedly put the death toll at more than 30.

He also noted that more than 45 houses were reportedly destroyed during the attack, further worsening the plight of residents whose homes and livelihoods have been affected by insecurity.

The former presidential candidate also referred to recent attacks in Borgu, Niger State, where reports indicated that more than 40 people were killed and over 100 others abducted, although he acknowledged that the figures remained contested.

He said the development was coming against the backdrop of continuing violence in Benue State, where several communities have continued to experience killings, kidnappings and the destruction of homes and sources of livelihood.

Obi expressed concern that Nigerians were increasingly being attacked in places where they ought to feel safest, including their homes and communities.

“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 warned that the violence should not be treated as isolated incidents affecting individual communities or states, arguing that the scale and frequency of the attacks required a broader national response.

According to Obi, the situation in Benue, Plateau and Niger reflects a wider insecurity challenge affecting different parts of the country, with some attacks allegedly 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,” he stated.

The NDP presidential candidate urged the Federal Government, state governments and other relevant authorities to urgently reassess their security strategies and take decisive measures to protect citizens.

He called for improved intelligence gathering and rapid-response capabilities to enable security agencies to identify threats before they escalate into deadly attacks.

Obi also urged authorities to intensify efforts to rescue Nigerians who have been abducted and ensure that those responsible for killings, kidnappings and destruction of property are arrested and prosecuted.

“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.

He stressed that the government should move beyond responding to attacks after lives had already been lost, insisting that greater emphasis must be placed on prevention.

“We cannot keep counting bodies after every attack. We must prevent these attacks before they happen,” Obi said.
He further reminded governments that the protection of lives and property remains one of their most fundamental responsibilities.

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

Obi’s comments come amid renewed public concern over insecurity in several parts of Nigeria, particularly in rural communities where residents are frequently exposed to attacks, displacement and loss of livelihoods.

He called for a comprehensive and coordinated security response capable of restoring confidence among citizens and preventing vulnerable communities from being overrun by armed attackers.
“Nigeria must not become a killing field,” Obi declared.

The former presidential candidate maintained that every Nigerian, irrespective of ethnic, religious, political or geographical affiliation, deserves to live in safety and security, urging authorities to act before the situation deteriorates further.