Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has denounced the recent killings in Benue State, which have tragically affected women, children, soldiers, and displaced persons.
In a statement released on Sunday, Obi remarked that this tragedy has become alarmingly frequent in “our national life, and the situation in Benue now necessitates a national emergency.”
Reports indicate that over 200 lives have been lost in a single attack, with homes set ablaze, families torn apart, and communities left in devastation.
“This is not merely violence; it is a failure of leadership and a stain on our collective conscience. Every life lost is a Nigerian life, each one precious, each one irreplaceable,” Obi stated.
“We cannot accept the normalisation of mass killings. It is intolerable. The primary duty of any government, whether federal, state, or local, is to protect lives and property. When this duty is repeatedly neglected, we must ask: What kind of nation are we leaving for our children?
“To the people of Benue, I say: your pain is our pain. The blood of your loved ones cries out for justice. The survival of our people must not be open to negotiation; it requires urgent, deliberate, and comprehensive action.”
He urged the relevant authorities to move beyond symbolic gestures and take decisive action regarding the situation, asserting that their actions should resonate louder than visits or statements.
Obi also called on the government to demonstrate its commitment to safeguarding citizens, which he insists is the primary duty of any government.
“A safe and secure Benue is not too much to ask; it is our moral duty, our national obligation. This is not the Nigeria we deserve, nor the Nigeria we aspire to. We must put an end to this bloodshed. We must reclaim our humanity,” Obi concluded.
