Obi visits Plateau after Benue blockade, seeks action to end killings, displacement

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has urged the Federal Government to take decisive action to end killings and displacement in Plateau State, shortly after his visit to Benue State was reportedly obstructed by individuals who prevented his convoy from accessing Yelwata community to sympathise with victims of recent attacks.

Obi’s Benue visit has since generated controversy, with his party demanding an investigation into the reported obstruction.

Following the incident in Benue, Obi on Tuesday proceeded to Plateau State, where he visited communities in Mangu Local Government Area recently affected by attacks.

He said about 45,000 residents from more than 20 communities had been forced from their homes, describing the prolonged displacement as unacceptable.

The former Anambra State governor said the continued existence of Internally Displaced Persons was evidence of the failure to guarantee their safety.

“As long as you are in an IDP camp, Nigeria is in an IDP camp. It is when you go home that Nigeria is at home. You are not supposed to be here,” Obi told the displaced persons.

He called on the Federal Government to take decisive steps to end killings, kidnappings and the displacement of communities, particularly in Plateau and Benue states.

While acknowledging the role of prayers in addressing the country’s challenges, Obi said the government had the primary responsibility to protect lives and prosecute perpetrators of violence.

“I hear people say we need prayers. Yes, we need prayers. But the government must act. The people coming to kill are not from the moon. We know them. The Nigerian government should be able to deal with it,” he said.

Read also: Obi: Persistent IDP camps expose Nigeria’s security failure

Obi expressed concern over the humanitarian impact of the attacks, citing the number of residents displaced across affected communities.

“You can imagine 45,000 people displaced from over 20 communities. That is unacceptable. It is something we must not allow to continue,” he said.

He also decried the impact of the attacks on education, saying the destruction and displacement of communities had forced many children out of school.

Obi said Tuesday’s visit was his third to affected communities in Plateau State, adding that previous interventions had included the construction of a school and provision of water.

“I came here today not to campaign. I came to assure you that you are in our thoughts. We are hoping that one day we will come here and none of you will be here because you have all returned to your homes,” he said.

He commended the resilience of the displaced persons, who sang and danced during his visit despite their circumstances, and urged government to create an enabling environment for them to return home and rebuild their lives.

Obi assured camp leaders of his continued support and solidarity.

“Be assured that you are not alone. We feel your pain and disappointment. We will continue from time to time to support you in any way we can,” he pledged.

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