RismadarVoice Reporters
September 9, 2026
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen security in communities affected by attacks and create conditions for displaced Nigerians to safely return to their ancestral homes.
Mr Obi made the call in a statement posted on X on Wednesday after visiting an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The visit followed his inability to reach Yelwata in Benue State on Tuesday, where he and his delegation had planned to meet displaced residents and families affected by recent attacks.
According to Mr Obi, the situation in Mangu was “deeply disturbing”, with more than 45,000 people reportedly displaced and over 20 communities allegedly forced to abandon their homes due to terrorist attacks.
“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.
The former Anambra State governor said he visited an IDP camp accommodating more than 500 displaced persons, where he offered support to the affected families as a demonstration of solidarity.
He stressed that the government must intensify efforts to protect communities affected by insecurity, arguing that the displacement of any Nigerian should be treated as a national concern.
“As I have always maintained, as long as there is one displaced Nigerian, all Nigerians are displaced,” Mr Obi said.
He urged the government to safeguard the lives, dignity and livelihoods of citizens irrespective of their location, ethnicity, religion or political affiliation.
“Our displaced citizens must not become forgotten Nigerians,” he said, adding that authorities must secure affected communities, facilitate the safe return of displaced residents and support them in rebuilding their lives.
Mr Obi said prolonged displacement had disrupted families, livelihoods and the future of entire communities, making urgent and sustained government intervention necessary.
He said his visit to the Plateau camp was also aimed at drawing attention to the plight of displaced Nigerians, whom he said should not be left to survive on their own.
“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.
The visit came a day after Mr Obi and his team were reportedly prevented from proceeding to Yelwata in Benue State, where they intended to visit an IDP camp following recent attacks in the area.
