Peter Obi, 2027 Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress, NDC, on Monday decried the renewed heartless killings in Benue and Plateau.
Mr Obi, a former governor of Anambra, who stated this in a post on his X account, said the unending violence in the region is worrisome and deserved special attention.
According to him, the tragic news of yet another round of killings in Benue and Plateau is both painful and deeply disturbing.
“The reported murder of at least 16 innocent Nigerians in the Otukpo-Nobi community of Benue , alongside the killing of nine members of the same family is horrific.
“The killing includes a two-month-old baby, in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau, once again reminds us that the relentless cycle of bloodshed in parts of our country has persisted for far too long.
“For years, families in Benue, Plateau and other communities across Nigeria have lived under the constant shadow of fear, violence and displacement.
“Mothers have buried their children, children have become orphans overnight, farmers have abandoned their lands, and entire communities have been left devastated.
“We cannot continue to accept this tragic cycle as though it were normal. It is not,” he stated.
Mr Obi noted that the primary responsibility of any government is protection of lives and property.
He explained that every Nigerian life is sacred, and every life lost is one too many, adding that these were not mere statistics; they are fathers, mothers, children, breadwinners and future leaders whose dreams had been cut short.
“The time has come to move beyond routine condemnations after every attack, Nigerians deserve a security architecture that is proactive rather than reactive.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and to the governments and people of Benue and Plateau.
“I pray that God grants comfort to all who mourn, healing to the injured, and strength to every community struggling to rebuild after these repeated tragedies.
“This is not about politics; it is about humanity. We must summon the collective will to secure our nation and restore hope to our people.
“No country can develop when its citizens live in fear, and no society can prosper when innocent blood continues to flow unchecked,” he added.
NAN
