Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has condemned the renewed attacks in Benue and Plateau states, describing the killings as “painful” and “deeply disturbing.” He urged the Federal Government to prioritise the protection of lives, warning that recurring violence should never become Nigeria’s new normal.

Presidential hopeful Peter Obi has reacted to the latest wave of deadly attacks in Benue and Plateau states, expressing grief over the continued loss of lives and calling for urgent action to halt the country’s worsening insecurity.

His reaction follows fresh assaults on communities that reportedly claimed at least 27 lives, adding to a series of violent attacks that have unsettled Nigeria’s North-Central region.

In a statement, Obi described the renewed killings as both heartbreaking and unacceptable, saying innocent Nigerians should not continue to die while communities live in constant fear.

He stressed that every life lost represents a national tragedy and urged authorities to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve security operations and ensure perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted.

The former Anambra State governor also extended his condolences to families who lost loved ones and prayed for the recovery of those injured during the attacks.

Obi argued that protecting citizens remains the primary responsibility of government, insisting that insecurity must be treated as a national emergency rather than an issue for routine political debate.

He warned against allowing repeated massacres to become normalised, saying Nigeria must demonstrate greater resolve in safeguarding lives and restoring confidence in affected communities.

The latest attacks have renewed concerns over persistent violence across Benue and Plateau, where communities have repeatedly suffered deadly raids in recent months.

Security experts have continued to call for stronger intelligence-led operations, improved community policing and closer collaboration between federal and state authorities to address the crisis.

Obi’s remarks add to the growing chorus of voices demanding stronger government action to end the cycle of violence in Nigeria’s North-Central region. As affected communities mourn their dead, pressure continues to mount on security agencies to prevent further attacks and restore lasting peace.