The 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to protect lives and property following a fresh wave of attacks in parts of Benue State.
Obi made the call after visiting Otukpo-Nobi and Efeyi-Ugboju communities in Otukpo Local Government Area of the state, where several residents were reportedly killed, injured or abducted.
The former Anambra State governor said the scale of the attacks showed the urgent need for stronger security measures to protect communities and prevent further loss of lives.
In a statement posted on his X handle on Friday, Obi said he visited Otukpo-Nobi, where he was informed that more than 10 people had either been killed or gone missing during the attack.
He added that several other residents were injured and receiving treatment in hospitals.
Obi also visited Efeyi-Ugboju, where he said more than 13 people were reportedly killed, while several others sustained injuries.
According to him, the visits gave him an opportunity to meet residents affected by the violence, sympathise with families who lost loved ones and see the condition of some of those who survived the attacks.
He said he joined members of the community in praying for the dead at the site of a mass burial for victims of the violence.
“We also visited the hospital to highlight with the injured, show our support, and pray for their quick recovery,” he said.
The presidential candidate said he was further informed during his visit that 14 people had been kidnapped along Ankpechi Road earlier in the morning.
The latest abduction added to the growing security concerns in parts of Benue, where communities have continued to face attacks, killings and kidnappings.
Obi said the situation required a stronger response from the Federal Government, stressing that the protection of citizens remained one of the main duties of government.
“Having visited, seen and spoken with those affected, I urge the Federal Government to demonstrate a greater commitment to securing the lives and property of citizens and to closing the ungoverned spaces that have become breeding grounds for insecurity,” he said.
He also said governments at all levels must be reminded of their responsibility whenever citizens were left exposed to attacks.
“The primary purpose of government is the security and welfare of its citizens. When government fails in this responsibility, as it has with the people of Otukpo-Nobi, Efeyi-Ugboju, and other troubled communities, it must be reminded of that sacred obligation,” Obi said.
His visit came amid reports of another abduction in the state.
On Thursday night, gunmen reportedly abducted 14 passengers travelling in an 18-seater bus along the Ankpechi-Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area.
The victims were said to have been travelling along the road when the attackers intercepted the vehicle and took the passengers away.
The police later confirmed that five of the victims, including a four-year-old boy, had been rescued.
Nine others, however, remained in captivity as of Friday.
The incident has added to concerns over the safety of travellers and residents using roads linking communities in the state.
Benue has in recent years faced repeated security challenges, with attacks in rural communities often leading to deaths, displacement and destruction of homes and farms. The situation has also raised concerns about the safety of farmers and the impact of insecurity on food production and local economic activities.
For communities affected by such attacks, the consequences often extend beyond the immediate loss of lives. Families are separated, businesses are disrupted and residents are forced to abandon their homes and means of livelihood.
The repeated attacks have also increased pressure on security agencies and governments to improve their response, strengthen intelligence gathering and prevent armed groups from operating freely in remote areas.
Obi said the Federal Government needed to do more to stop communities from becoming vulnerable to attackers.
He argued that security should not be treated only as a response to attacks after they have occurred, but should also involve measures to prevent attacks and protect vulnerable communities.
He called for greater efforts to close areas where criminal elements could operate without effective government presence.
The former governor also extended his condolences to the families of those killed in the attacks.
He prayed for the repose of the victims and urged authorities to take stronger steps to protect the affected communities.
“May the souls of the departed continue to rest in perfect peace. Amen,” he said.
The incidents in Otukpo and Ohimini have again brought security in Benue into focus, with residents expecting stronger action to prevent further attacks and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
Obi’s intervention also comes as political parties and candidates begin to position themselves ahead of the 2027 general election, with security, economic hardship and welfare expected to remain major issues in the political debate.
For residents of the affected communities, however, the immediate concern remains the protection of lives, the rescue of those still in captivity and the return of lasting peace to their communities.