Peter Obi Urges Urgent Government Action Over Rising Killings and Abductions

The 2027 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on governments at all levels to take urgent and decisive action to address the growing wave of killings, abductions and destruction of communities across Nigeria.

Obi made the call in a statement posted on X on Sunday, August 23, citing recent attacks in Benue, Plateau and Niger states as evidence of the worsening security situation in the country.

The former Anambra State governor referenced the attack in Jwak Maitumbi, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, where at least 23 people were reportedly killed and more than 45 houses destroyed.

He also highlighted recent violence in Borgu, Niger State, where reports indicated that over 40 people were killed and more than 100 others abducted. Obi, however, acknowledged that the figures from the incident remained disputed.

According to him, the situation in Benue is equally concerning, with communities repeatedly facing attacks, killings, abductions and the destruction of homes and livelihoods.

Obi argued that the incidents should no longer be treated as isolated cases, describing them as part of a wider national security crisis that requires a coordinated response from government authorities.

He expressed concern that Nigerians were being attacked in their communities despite the country not being officially at war.

Obi urged federal, state and local governments to prioritise the protection of lives and property, insisting that security agencies must focus more on preventing attacks rather than responding only after lives have been lost.

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

The former presidential candidate stressed that protecting citizens and their property remains one of the most fundamental responsibilities of government.

He called for immediate action to restore security in affected communities and prevent further displacement, loss of livelihoods and destruction of property.

Obi warned that the country must not allow insecurity to escalate to the point where communities become constant targets of violence, declaring that “Nigeria must not become a killing field.”