Trending 
Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi has called for urgent government action to halt escalating violence in Benue, Plateau, and Niger states.
In a statement posted on X on Sunday, Obi said recent killings and mass abductions showed that insecurity could no longer be treated as isolated incidents, describing the attacks across the three North-Central states as a “national security emergency.”
“What is happening to our country?” Obi asked, citing recent attacks in the three states.
He referenced the August 17 attack on Jwak Maitumbi in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, where at least 23 people were reportedly killed and about 45 residential shelters destroyed.
Obi also pointed to recent attacks in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
Reports from police and residents indicate that dozens of people were abducted in attacks on several communities following Friday prayers.
“This comes amid continuing violence in Benue, where communities face repeated killings, abductions and the destruction of homes and livelihoods,” Obi said.
He argued that the pattern of attacks pointed to a wider national security crisis.
According to Obi, “What is happening in Benue, Plateau and Niger is similar to what is happening elsewhere in the country, with some attacks even going unreported.”
He therefore called for the attacks to be treated as a national emergency requiring coordinated action by governments at all levels.
Obi urged authorities to strengthen intelligence gathering and rapid-response capabilities, rescue abducted Nigerians and prosecute those responsible for the attacks.
“Government must protect vulnerable communities, improve intelligence and rapid-response capabilities, rescue abducted Nigerians, and arrest and prosecute those responsible,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor has repeatedly called for a shift from reactive security measures to intelligence-led prevention following attacks across Nigeria.
Nigeria Cannot Become a Killing Field
What is happening to our country?
In recent days, deadly attacks have struck Benue, Plateau and Niger States, three contiguous states in Nigeria’s North-Central region.
In Mangu, Plateau State, at least 23 people were officially reported…
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) August 23, 2026
