Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on the Federal Government to take decisive action against those responsible for the wave of killings and kidnappings across Nigeria.
Obi made the call on Tuesday during a visit to an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, where he sympathised with thousands of residents forced to flee their homes due to insecurity.
While acknowledging the importance of prayers in confronting the country’s security challenges, the former Anambra State governor stressed that government action was needed to end the violence.
“I listen to somebody who says we need prayers. Yes, we need prayers. But the prayers can be solved by government. The people who are coming to kill people are not from the moon. We know them. The Nigerian government should be able to deal with it,” Obi said.
Obi described the continued existence of IDP camps as unacceptable, saying displaced Nigerians should be provided with the necessary security and support to return safely to their communities.
He expressed concern over the scale of displacement in Plateau State, stating that about 45,000 people from more than 20 communities had been forced from their homes.
According to Obi, his visit was not a campaign activity but an expression of solidarity with victims of insecurity.
“I came here today, not to campaign. I came to assure you that you are in our mind, we are thinking about you, and we are hoping that one day none of you will be here because you have gone back to your home,” he said.
The former governor also raised concerns about the impact of insecurity on education, noting that the destruction and displacement of communities had disrupted the schooling of many children and young people.
Obi praised the resilience of the displaced persons after witnessing them sing and dance despite their difficult circumstances, assuring them that they were not alone.
He urged the government to intensify efforts to restore peace and create conditions that would allow displaced Nigerians to safely return home.
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