Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The grief was palpable in the air over Otukpo-Nobi and Efeyi-Ugboju on Friday, August 14, 2026, as Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi walked through communities still reeling from the latest wave of violence to hit Benue State. His visit, coming just days after devastating attacks claimed more than 23 lives and left dozens injured, was a stark reminder of the federal government's failure to protect its citizens and a powerful call to action that resonated far beyond the boundaries of the two rural communities.
According to accounts shared by Obi on his official X handle, the situation in the affected areas is dire. In Otukpo-Nobi alone, over 10 persons were either killed or went missing, while several others sustained injuries and are currently hospitalised. In the neighbouring community of Efeyi-Ugboju, over 13 persons were reportedly killed, with many more wounded. While Obi was in the region, he was also informed of a separate incident earlier that morning along Ankpechi Road, where 14 persons were kidnapped. The attacks in Benue are part of a broader pattern of violence that has plagued the state for months. In early July, at least 16 people were reportedly killed by suspected armed herders in Nobi. Later that month, suspected armed herders invaded the Efeyi community and killed 15 people. According to reports, the suspects stormed the community around 5 a.m., shooting sporadically. The mass burial that Obi attended was for the victims of the July 28 attack on Efeyi-Utikpi community, where 15 victims were laid to rest in a mass grave. Otukpo Local Government Council had imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew following the killing of over 22 persons in the attack.
During his visit, Obi joined community members in prayers for the repose of the souls of the departed at the site of the mass burial. He also visited the hospital to empathise with the injured, offering support and prayers for their quick recovery. Having witnessed the devastation firsthand, Obi issued a blunt and urgent appeal to the Federal 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," Obi stated. The former governor emphasized that the primary purpose of government is the security and welfare of its citizens. He argued that the government has failed in this responsibility concerning the people of Benue and other troubled communities, and must be reminded of that sacred obligation. "We must close the ungoverned spaces that have become breeding grounds for insecurity," Obi said, urging the government to implement strategies to address the root causes of the violence. He concluded his statement with a prayer: "May the souls of the departed continue to rest in perfect peace. Amen".
Obi's visit comes amid renewed concerns over insecurity in parts of Benue State and growing demands for greater protection of rural communities affected by recurring farmer-herder violence. The attacks have also drawn reactions from other quarters, with musician 2Baba demanding urgent action over the Benue killings and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) distancing itself from the attacks. The scale of the tragedy in Otukpo-Nobi and Efeyi-Ugboju, the mass burial, the hospital visits, and Obi's urgent call to action serve as a powerful indictment of the government's failure to secure the lives and property of its citizens. As the nation prepares for the 2027 elections, Obi's presence in Benue, his solidarity with the victims, and his demand for accountability have placed the issue of insecurity squarely at the centre of the political debate, reminding Nigerians that the primary purpose of government is, and must always be, the security and welfare of its people.
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