Obi on Plateau attacks: Mass killings must end, every Nigerian life is sacred

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, has expressed grave concern over the spate of killings in Bokkos LGA of Plateau state.

On Thursday, the Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) said suspected bandits killed over 10 people in Bokkos on Wednesday night.

The attack came seven days after gunmen attacked Ruwi community in Bokkos LGA as mourners gathered in the home of a deceased.

Over 22 residents have now been reportedly killed in communities in Bokkos LGA within a one-week span.

In a post on his X page on Friday, the former Anambra governor described the incident as “gory” and “yet another senseless attack”.

The ex-presidential candidate lamented that Nigeria is gradually normalising mass killings and mass burials.

“I woke up this morning reading about yet another gory and deeply distressing report from Bokkos, Plateau State,” he wrote.

“Entire families have again, been slaughtered in yet another senseless attack. Children and pregnant women were not spared.”

The LP chieftain questioned how long Nigerians must endure such pain, killings, and criminality despite the country not being at war.

He added that this grief and terror must come to an end as it is becoming extremely unacceptable.

“We are now normalising mass killings and mass burials as a way of life in our nation,” Obi said.

“Every Nigerian life is sacred, whether in Edo State, Benue, Enugu, Borno, Anambra, Ondo, or Plateau.

“Communities now live in fear and no longer have a livelihood either in their farms or in their markets, without being killed, kidnapped, and maimed.

“Communities like Bokkos in Plateau, Jato-Aka in Benue, Eha-Amufu in Enugu, Ufuma in Anambra, and Aba Oyinbo in Ondo deserve government protection.”

Obi asked government and security agencies to act decisively, prevent future attacks, and ensure justice is served.

He expressed his heartfelt condolences to the grieving people of Bokkos and others across the country affected by similar acts of violence.