Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has strongly condemned the recent spate of killings in Benue State, calling the slaughter of women, children, soldiers, and displaced persons a national tragedy that requires immediate action.
In a statement posted on his X handle on Sunday, Peter Obi expressed profound grief over the reported killing of more than 200 people in a single attack, mourning the widespread destruction of homes and the displacement of entire communities.
“My heart is heavy as I receive news of yet another brutal wave of killings in Benue. Such tragedies have become far too frequent in our national experience. The situation in Benue now demands the declaration of a national emergency,” Obi wrote.
He condemned what he described as a persistent failure of leadership, emphasizing that it is the constitutional duty of all levels of government in Nigeria to safeguard lives and property.
“This goes beyond acts of violence — it reflects a breakdown in leadership and is a deep scar on our national conscience,” Obi stated. “We must not allow the mass killing of innocent people to become a norm. It is absolutely unacceptable.”
Obi also expressed solidarity with the people of Benue, assuring them that their suffering resonates with many across the nation.
“To the people of Benue, I say: your pain is our collective pain. The blood of your loved ones cries out for justice,” he declared.
He called on the relevant authorities to move beyond symbolic responses and take meaningful, decisive steps to end the violence and restore lasting peace in the region.
“A safe and secure Benue is not too much to demand; it is both a moral obligation and a national responsibility,” Obi said. “This is not the Nigeria we deserve, nor the one we envision. The bloodshed must stop—we must reclaim our humanity.”
The killings in Benue have triggered widespread outrage nationwide, with growing calls for enhanced security measures and greater accountability from government authorities.
