Peter Obi Visits Plateau IDPs Camp, Claims Over 45,000 Residents Displaced, 20 Communities Sacked By Terrorists | Sahara Reporters

According to him, the displaced persons were among Nigerians who had been forced to flee their ancestral communities and livelihoods because of insecurity.

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has lamented the displacement of over 45,000 residents and the reported sacking of more than 20 communities by terrorists in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Obi, who is seeking to contest the 2027 presidential election, disclosed this on Wednesday while recounting his visit to an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Mangu housing more than 500 displaced Nigerians.

According to him, the displaced persons were among Nigerians who had been forced to flee their ancestral communities and livelihoods because of insecurity.

The former Anambra State governor said he visited the camp on Tuesday, September 8, after his delegation was prevented from proceeding to Yelwata in Benue State to visit displaced persons and families affected by recent attacks.

“Yesterday, 8th September, following the unfortunate incident in Benue State, where our delegation was prevented from proceeding to Yelwata to visit displaced Nigerians and families affected by the recent attacks, I proceeded to Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, where I visited an IDP camp housing over 500 displaced persons,” Obi said in a statement shared on his X handle on Wednesday.

He described the situation in Mangu as “deeply disturbing,” saying more than 45,000 people had reportedly been displaced while over 20 communities had been sacked by terrorists.

Obi, who was presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, said the displaced Nigerians wanted to return to their ancestral homes, rebuild their communities, return to farming and resume their lives in peace and dignity.

“These are Nigerians who want nothing more than to return to their ancestral homes, rebuild their communities, cultivate their farms, and live their lives in peace and dignity,” he said.

He called on the Nigerian government to intensify efforts to secure the affected communities and restore the confidence of residents who had been displaced by violence.

Obi stressed that the responsibility to protect Nigerians should not be determined by ethnicity, religion, political affiliation or geographical location.

“As I have always maintained, as long as there is one displaced Nigerian, all Nigerians are displaced,” he said.

He urged the government to guarantee the right to life, safety, dignity and livelihood of citizens across the country, particularly those living in communities affected by attacks.

The Anambra State governor warned against allowing displaced Nigerians to become forgotten victims of the country’s worsening insecurity.

“Our displaced citizens must not become forgotten Nigerians. They are citizens of our country whose homes, livelihoods and futures have been disrupted,” he said.

Obi said government must create the conditions necessary for the safe and dignified return of displaced persons to their communities while providing security and support for reconstruction.

“Government must create the conditions for their safe and dignified return, secure their communities and support them to rebuild their lives,” he added.

He said he concluded the visit by providing what he described as modest support to displaced families as a demonstration of solidarity and compassion.

The development comes amid persistent security concerns in parts of Plateau and Benue states, where attacks and communal violence have repeatedly forced residents from their homes and disrupted agricultural activities.

Obi also used the visit to reiterate his vision of a Nigeria where citizens can live and pursue their livelihoods without fear.

“The New Nigeria we seek must be a country where every citizen can live, work, farm, raise a family and pursue their dreams in peace and security,” he said.