Plateau Displacement: Peter Obi Calls for Action as 45,000 Remain in IDP Camps

JOS — Peter Obi, Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has called for urgent government action to end the killings, kidnappings and displacement affecting communities in Plateau State and other parts of the country.

Obi made the call while visiting Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State to sympathise with Nigerians displaced by insecurity.

The former Anambra State governor said his visit was not politically motivated, stressing that he was concerned about the plight of citizens who had been forced to abandon their homes because of violence.

He urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to secure communities in Plateau and Benue states and facilitate the safe return of displaced persons.

“As long as you are in an IDP camp, Nigeria is in an IDP camp. When you go home, Nigeria is at home. You are not supposed to be here,” Obi said.

He also called on the government to take decisive action against those responsible for killings and kidnappings, insisting that the security situation required more than expressions of concern.

Responding to calls for prayers over the insecurity, Obi said prayers were important but should be accompanied by concrete government action.

“I listen to somebody who says we need prayers. Yes, we need prayers. But the government can answer prayers. The people who are coming to kill people are not from the moon. There we know them. The Nigerian government should be able to deal with it,” he said.

Obi said displaced Nigerians deserved assistance to return to their communities rather than remaining indefinitely in IDP camps.

He particularly expressed concern about children affected by the crisis, saying the destruction of communities and disruption caused by insecurity had negatively affected their education.

According to Obi, about 45,000 people from more than 20 communities had been displaced, describing the situation as unacceptable.

“You can imagine, 45,000 people in an area, over 20 communities. That is unacceptable. It is something that we must not allow to continue,” he said.

The NDC presidential candidate also urged other politicians aspiring to lead the country to visit IDP camps and see for themselves the conditions in which displaced Nigerians live.

He said his repeated visits to affected communities were intended to highlight the humanitarian consequences of the country’s security challenges.

“This is the third time I’m coming here to say what is happening here. I’ve been able to come here to build your school, provide water and everything,” he said.

Obi reiterated that his latest visit was not for campaign purposes but to reassure the displaced Nigerians that they had not been forgotten.

“I came here today, like I said, not to campaign. I came to assure you that you are in our mind, we are thinking about you, and we are hoping that one day we have the opportunity of coming here and none of you will be here, because you’ve gone back to your home,” he said.

He commended the resilience of the displaced persons after observing them sing and dance despite the hardship they were experiencing.

Obi said their ability to maintain hope in the face of adversity was encouraging, but stressed that government must create the conditions necessary for them to return home and rebuild their lives.

He assured the camp leaders of continued support, saying: “Be assured that you are not alone. Be assured that we are feeling your pain. We are feeling your disappointment and everything. And we will continue from time to time to support you in any way we can.”

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