The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has condemned the recent killings in Benue and Plateau states, describing the attacks as painful and disturbing.
In a statement shared on his X handle on Monday, Obi reacted to the killing of at least 16 people in Nobi community, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, and the death of nine members of a family, including a two-month-old baby, in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
He called for a proactive and intelligence-driven security approach to prevent further loss of lives.
The attacks, which occurred over the weekend, also claimed additional lives in Akpachi village, Otukpo LGA, raising the reported death toll from the Benue attacks to at least 18.
In Plateau State, community sources said the victims were members of the same family who were killed when gunmen attacked Kum and Wereng-Camp communities in Riyom.
Reacting to the incidents, Obi said the killings were another painful reminder of the prolonged insecurity affecting communities across the country.
He said many families in Benue, Plateau and other parts of Nigeria had continued to live in fear, with residents losing loved ones, abandoning farms and experiencing displacement due to repeated attacks.
Obi stressed that the protection of lives and property remained the most important responsibility of any government, adding that every Nigerian life mattered.
According to him, victims of insecurity should not be reduced to statistics, as they were parents, children, breadwinners and future leaders whose lives had been cut short.
The former Anambra governor urged authorities to move beyond issuing condemnations after attacks and develop a security system focused on intelligence gathering, rapid response and accountability.
He called for the identification, arrest and prosecution of those behind the killings, saying the culture of impunity must be brought to an end.
Obi expressed condolences to the affected families and the governments of Benue and Plateau states, while praying for comfort for those who lost loved ones and recovery for the injured.
He added that the issue was beyond politics, stressing that Nigeria could not achieve meaningful development while citizens continued to live in fear.
