The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on the Federal Government to urgently strengthen the nation’s security architecture following fresh attacks that claimed several lives in Benue and Plateau states.
Obi made the call in a statement shared on his official social media page on Sunday, July 13, 2026, describing the continued wave of killings as heartbreaking and unacceptable.
According to reports, at least 16 people were killed in the Otukpo-Nobi community of Benue State, while nine members of the same family, including a two-month-old baby, lost their lives in an attack in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Reacting to the incidents, Obi said the persistent violence, displacement, and destruction of livelihoods across Benue, Plateau, and other parts of the country should never be accepted as normal.
“The tragic news of yet another round of killings in Benue and Plateau States is both painful and deeply disturbing,” he said.
Emphasizing that the protection of lives and property remains the foremost responsibility of any government, Obi noted that every Nigerian life is valuable and that every life lost is one too many.
“These are not mere statistics; they are fathers, mothers, children, breadwinners and future leaders whose dreams have been violently cut short,” he added.
The former Anambra State governor urged the Federal Government to move beyond routine condemnations after violent attacks and adopt a proactive security strategy driven by intelligence gathering, rapid response, and accountability.
“The time has come to move beyond routine condemnations after every attack. Nigerians deserve a security architecture that is proactive rather than reactive, driven by intelligence, rapid response and accountability.
“Those responsible for these atrocities must be identified, arrested and prosecuted. The culture of impunity must end,” Obi stated.
He also extended his condolences to the families of the victims, as well as the governments and people of Benue and Plateau states, expressing hope that the affected communities would find healing and recover from the devastating attacks.
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