Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has condemned the recent massacre in Benue State, attributing the persistent wave of violence to a longstanding failure of leadership in Nigeria.
Reacting to reports of fresh attacks in Guma Local Government Area, where armed assailants believed to be herdsmen allegedly killed over 200 people, Obi said the country can no longer afford to normalise such widespread killings.
In a post shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, the former Anambra State governor expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing it as a painful reminder of the country’s security collapse.
“My heart is heavy as I learn of yet another horrific series of killings in Benue—women, children, soldiers, and displaced persons brutally murdered,” he wrote.
“This tragedy has become far too common. Benue now calls for a national emergency.”
Obi said the scale of the attack, which also left homes destroyed and entire communities shattered, is a reflection of systemic governance failure rather than isolated violence.
“Over 200 lives have reportedly been wiped out in a single attack. Families destroyed, homes burned, and communities left in ruins. This is not just violence—it is a tragic collapse of leadership and a stain on our collective conscience,” he added.
He emphasized that security is the most basic responsibility of government, warning that failure in this area puts the entire future of the nation at risk.
“Every life lost is a Nigerian life—unique, valuable, and irreplaceable. We cannot accept the continued normalisation of mass murder. This is intolerable,” he said.
“When a government—at any level—fails repeatedly to protect its citizens, one must ask: What kind of country are we building for the generations to come?”
Obi extended heartfelt condolences to the affected communities, assuring them that their grief would not be ignored.
“To the people of Benue, I say: your pain is not yours alone—it is shared by all of us. The blood of your loved ones cries out for justice. Their deaths must not be in vain,” he wrote.
He called on the authorities to move beyond symbolic actions and take decisive steps to protect vulnerable communities.
“It’s time for concrete action, not just visits or statements. Let your decisions and deployments reflect genuine commitment. A safe and secure Benue is not too much to ask—it is a moral and national obligation,” he stated.
Obi concluded by urging all Nigerians to reject the status quo of insecurity, stressing that the country must rise above the bloodshed and reaffirm the sanctity of human life.
“This is not the Nigeria we deserve, nor the one we dream of. We must end this senseless violence. We must reclaim our shared humanity,” he said.
Local sources revealed that the attack occurred between Friday night and Saturday morning in Yelwata and Daudu areas of Guma LGA.
A community leader, Matthew Mnyan, confirmed that the death toll could be as high as 200, including five security personnel.
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