Former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has strongly condemned the continued wave of deadly attacks in Benue, Kogi, and Taraba states, describing the crisis as a “national tragedy” and “a glaring failure of leadership under President Bola Tinubu.”
In a statement released on Wednesday, Obi expressed profound sorrow over the escalating violence that has claimed countless lives, including women, children, and members of the clergy. He called on the federal government to act swiftly and decisively to restore security and uphold the sanctity of human life.
“The news of the continued senseless killings that have gripped parts of Taraba, Benue, and Kogi States in recent times is heartbreaking,” Obi said. “What we are witnessing is not merely violence. It is a failure of leadership and a gaping wound in the soul of our nation.”
Recent weeks have seen a surge in violent attacks on rural communities across these states. In Benue, deadly clashes between herders and farmers have devastated entire villages. In Taraba and Kogi, armed groups have carried out brutal assaults, leaving destruction and displacement in their wake.
Despite the mounting death toll and widespread displacement, Obi criticized the federal government for what he termed a muted and ineffective response.
“The bloodshed is staggering, yet the response remains weak and muted,” he lamented. “As homes are destroyed and communities torn apart, we risk normalizing the unacceptable: mass killings, displacement, and the collapse of law and order.”
Obi stressed that every life lost is more than a statistic—it represents a fellow Nigerian whose death should not go unnoticed.
“The protection of life and property is the most fundamental duty of any government,” he emphasized. “When that duty is repeatedly ignored, when innocent citizens are butchered and nothing changes, we must ask ourselves: What kind of nation are we building?”
He extended heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families, stating that he shares in their grief and pain. He also called on all leaders to show moral courage in the face of these atrocities.
“This is not the time for silence or political convenience. I mourn with the good people of Taraba, Benue, and Kogi. But I also raise my voice, because silence in the face of such horror is complicity,” he said.
“We need urgent action, not rhetoric. We need justice, not excuses. We as leaders must value human life and defend it with everything we have.”
Obi concluded by warning that the nation cannot continue on its current path: “Nigeria cannot continue like this. This is not the Nigeria we deserve. We must end this bloodshed. We must reclaim our humanity.”
