Bassa Killings: Obi calls for urgent federal action
By Muhammad Abubakar
A devastating attack has claimed the lives of over 50 people in Bassa, Plateau State, triggering national outrage and renewed calls for decisive government intervention. The latest wave of violence occurred just a day after a visit to the region by Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in Nigeria’s 2023 general election.
Obi, who had praised the resilience of Plateau’s people during his visit, expressed deep sorrow over the killings, calling them “heartbreaking” and “unacceptable.” In a strongly worded statement, he condemned what he described as a “deliberate, systematic pattern of coordinated attacks,” echoing similar concerns raised by Governor Caleb Muftwang.
“This is not the time for press statements,” Obi said. “It is time for concrete, strategic action. The people of Plateau need more than sympathy—they need security.”
He urged the federal government to immediately deploy reinforced security operations and actionable intelligence to identify and dismantle the criminal networks behind the atrocities.
Obi also called for swift justice for the victims, emphasizing that peace and dignity are the rights of every Nigerian citizen.
The incident marks another grim chapter in the ongoing violence plaguing Plateau State and raises urgent questions about the effectiveness of current security measures. Obi extended his condolences to the grieving families and prayed for strength for the people of Plateau and eternal rest for the departed.


