Peter Obi Visits Benue Attack Victims, Demands Stronger Government Action on Insecurity
Former Anambra State Governor and 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to protect lives and property following a fresh wave of deadly attacks and abductions in Benue State.
Obi made the call after visiting communities affected by recent attacks, including Otukpo-Nobi and Efeyi-Ugboju in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, where scores of residents were reportedly killed, injured, displaced or declared missing.
In a statement shared on his official social media platforms, Obi said his visit was aimed at standing with victims and their families and showing solidarity with communities that have been devastated by insecurity.
According to Obi, he travelled to Otukpo-Nobi, one of the communities recently attacked by non-state actors, where more than 10 people were either killed or went missing. Several other residents sustained injuries and were subsequently hospitalised.
Obi described the situation as deeply troubling, particularly as families and communities continue to bear the consequences of violence that has disrupted their lives and livelihoods.
“Having visited, seen, and spoken with those affected,” Obi said, he was compelled to urge the Federal Government to demonstrate a greater commitment to securing the lives and property of citizens.
The former Anambra governor also visited Efeyi-Ugboju, another community affected by the violence. He said more than 13 people were reportedly killed in the community, while several others sustained injuries.
The scale of the attacks, according to Obi, demonstrates the urgent need for government to take stronger measures to prevent further loss of lives and protect vulnerable communities.
While he was in the affected area, Obi said he was informed that 14 people had reportedly been kidnapped earlier that morning along Ankpechi Road.
The development, he noted, further underscores the growing security challenges confronting residents across parts of Benue State, where attacks, killings and abductions continue to generate fear among communities.
During his visit, Obi joined members of the affected community in praying for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives. He participated in prayers at the site of the mass burial of victims, where families and residents gathered to mourn those who had been killed.
For Obi, the visit was not simply about expressing condolences but also about witnessing first-hand the consequences of insecurity and listening to the experiences of those directly affected.
He also visited the hospital where some of the injured victims were receiving treatment.
Obi said the purpose of the hospital visit was to empathise with the victims, demonstrate solidarity with them and pray for their speedy recovery.
His engagement with the affected residents comes amid continuing concerns over the security situation in Benue and other parts of Nigeria, where communities have repeatedly experienced attacks, killings and abductions.
Obi argued that government must move beyond reacting to attacks after they have occurred and focus more aggressively on preventing violence before innocent citizens are killed.
He specifically called on the Federal Government to address what he described as “ungoverned spaces” that have become breeding grounds for insecurity.
According to Obi, leaving communities and territories without effective state presence creates an environment in which criminal and violent groups can operate with limited resistance.
He therefore urged the government to strengthen security operations and ensure that vulnerable communities are adequately protected.
The former Anambra governor further emphasised that the security and welfare of citizens should remain at the heart of governance.
“The primary purpose of government is the security and welfare of its citizens,” Obi stated, stressing that this responsibility must not be neglected.
He argued that when government fails to adequately protect citizens, particularly in communities such as Otukpo-Nobi and Efeyi-Ugboju, those in authority must be reminded of their fundamental obligation to the people.
Obi’s message reflects his longstanding emphasis on security, human development and effective governance as essential components of national progress.
For residents of affected Benue communities, however, the issue goes beyond political statements. The attacks have resulted in deaths, injuries, displacement and profound psychological trauma for families and communities.
Many residents depend on farming, trading and other daily economic activities for their livelihoods. Persistent insecurity threatens not only their physical safety but also their ability to work, educate their children and maintain their homes.
Obi’s visit therefore placed renewed attention on the human cost of insecurity and the need for government to provide meaningful protection to citizens living in vulnerable communities.
The former Anambra governor’s call also comes at a time when Nigerians are demanding more effective intelligence gathering, rapid security responses and stronger collaboration between security agencies and local communities.
A sustainable solution to insecurity, Obi’s position suggests, must involve more than military operations after attacks. It must include prevention, intelligence, community engagement, effective policing and the establishment of a stronger government presence in areas vulnerable to criminal activities.
For Obi, the repeated loss of innocent lives should not become normalised.
The victims of Otukpo-Nobi and Efeyi-Ugboju, he stressed, deserve justice, while those injured deserve adequate medical attention and the families of those killed deserve support and compassion.
Above all, the affected communities deserve security that allows residents to live, work and travel without fear.
Obi concluded his message by praying for the victims and expressing his hope for the recovery of those injured.
“May the souls of the departed continue to rest in perfect peace. Amen,” he said.
His visit to the affected communities has once again brought national attention to the security challenges facing Benue and reinforced calls for government to take decisive action to prevent further bloodshed.
For the residents mourning their loved ones, the most important question now is whether the renewed attention will translate into sustained security measures capable of preventing another tragedy.
Credit: Peter Obi / Official Statement
Source: Peter Obi’s official social media platforms
