Peter Obi Warns: ‘Nigeria Must Not Become a Killing Field’ Amid Rising Insecurity

Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has urged governments at all levels to urgently confront the worsening insecurity in Nigeria, warning that the country must not allow killings, abductions and destruction of communities to become normal.

Obi, who was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, raised the alarm in a statement posted on X on Sunday following recent attacks in Benue, Plateau and Niger states.

He described the three states as the latest parts of the North-Central region to suffer deadly violence, with residents killed, displaced and deprived of their homes and livelihoods.

According to Obi, an attack in Jwak Maitumbi, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, left at least 23 people officially reported dead, while residents put the figure at more than 30.

He also said more than 45 houses were reportedly destroyed.

In Niger State, Obi referred to attacks in Borgu, where reports indicated that more than 40 people were killed and over 100 abducted. He, however, noted that the figures remained contested.

The former governor said Benue was experiencing a similarly troubling situation, with communities repeatedly subjected to killings, abductions and destruction.

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

‘We Cannot Keep Counting Bodies’

Obi said the repeated attacks should be viewed as part of a larger national security crisis rather than 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 called on the federal, state and local governments to take immediate and decisive measures to protect vulnerable communities.

Among the measures he advocated are improved intelligence gathering, stronger rapid-response capabilities, intensified efforts to rescue abducted Nigerians and the arrest of those behind the attacks.

“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,” Obi said.

He also urged authorities to prioritise preventing attacks rather than waiting until after violence has occurred.

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

According to Obi, protecting citizens and their property is the most fundamental responsibility of government.

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

He warned that continued violence could have serious consequences if Nigerians became accustomed to insecurity and attacks on communities.

Concluding his statement, Obi said: “Nigeria must not become a killing field.”

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