Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has condemned the latest wave of killings in Benue State, urging the Federal Government and security agencies to take decisive steps to end the recurring violence.
Obi said the continued loss of lives in the state was deeply troubling, stressing that the country must not become accustomed to the killing of innocent citizens.
The former Anambra State governor made the remarks in a statement shared on his verified 𝕏 account on Saturday.
His reaction followed the latest attack in Ayilamo, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, where residents and security personnel were reportedly killed by suspected herders.
Obi expressed sympathy with the families affected by the latest incident and the wider Logo community.
“My heart goes out to the families who have once again been forced to bury their loved ones, and to the entire people of Logo. I share in your pain,” he said.
The NDC candidate recalled his recent visit to Benue, where he had gone to commiserate with families affected by the deadly violence in Yelwata.
He said his attempt to reach the affected community during that visit was disrupted, but added that the experience strengthened his resolve to speak against violence and the failure to adequately protect vulnerable communities.
“Yet that experience has only strengthened my conviction that we must never become indifferent to the suffering of our people,” Obi stated.
He called on the Federal Government and security agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible for the latest killings while taking measures to prevent similar attacks.
Obi also stressed that the protection of lives should not be determined by a victim’s religion, ethnicity or occupation.
“Whether the victim is a farmer, a child, a police officer, a soldier, a Christian, a Muslim, or a person of any ethnic group, every Nigerian life has equal value,” he said.
According to him, the priority should be to protect citizens rather than repeatedly count the number of people killed in attacks.
“We must stop counting our dead and start protecting our living,” he added.
The former Anambra governor offered prayers and condolences to the bereaved families, asking God to comfort those who lost loved ones and grant the country the wisdom and courage to confront insecurity.
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Obi further questioned the ability of a nation to fulfil its responsibilities when it cannot guarantee the safety of its citizens.
“A nation that cannot protect the lives of its citizens has a duty to ask itself some very difficult questions. We must do better. We must secure Nigeria,” he said.
The latest killings have renewed concerns over the security situation in Benue, where communities have repeatedly come under attacks blamed on suspected herders and other armed groups.