Former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi strongly condemned recent violent attacks that killed dozens of residents in Benue and Plateau states. Obi issued the statement after suspected armed herdsmen struck communities in the two north-central states.
Suspected armed herdsmen attacked Akpachi village and Otukpo-Nobi in Benue State on July 12, 2026. The assaults left at least 16 people dead, including women and children, according to local officials.
Reports indicated the violence followed the killing of a cattle breeders’ leader earlier in June. Residents protested by blocking roads as they demanded immediate government action.
Meanwhile, similar incidents continued to plague Plateau State communities. Obi highlighted the recurring nature of these killings during his public remarks. He described the situation as part of an ongoing pattern that claimed innocent lives across the region.
Peter Obi rejected the normalization of such violence. “We cannot accept this tragic cycle as normal,” he stated. Obi urged federal and state authorities to prioritize the protection of citizens. He emphasized that repeated attacks showed a failure to address root causes of insecurity in the affected areas.
Moreover, Obi pointed out that leadership must deliver concrete results. He called on the government to end the cycle through effective security measures and justice for victims. Transitioning from words to deeds remained essential, he added.
The attacks heightened fears of reprisals in the longstanding herder-farmer conflicts. Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the assaults. He ordered increased security patrols and appealed for calm among residents.
Obi stressed that Nigerians deserved better protection. He maintained that persistent violence reflected deeper governance challenges. Authorities needed to act decisively to restore peace and prevent further loss of life in vulnerable communities.
In his statement, Obi reiterated the need for a national approach to insecurity. He avoided partisan blame and focused on the human cost of the tragedies.
The former governor’s remarks came amid growing public concern over the safety of rural populations in Nigeria’s north-central region.
