More than 45,000 residents of Mangu, Plateau State, have been displaced by terrorist attacks, with over 20 communities reportedly sacked, the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has said.
Obi disclosed this on Wednesday after visiting an Internally Displaced Persons camp housing more than 500 victims in Mangu Local Government Area, where he called on the Federal Government to secure the affected communities and facilitate the safe return of their residents.
The former Anambra State governor said the scale of displacement was deeply disturbing, stressing that the victims were Nigerians who wanted to return to their ancestral homes, rebuild their communities, cultivate their farms and live in peace.
“As long as there is one displaced Nigerian, all Nigerians are displaced,” Obi said.
He urged the government to intensify security operations in the affected communities and restore the confidence of residents, arguing that providing temporary shelter was not enough if citizens remained unable to return home.
Obi said the right to life, safety, dignity and livelihood must be guaranteed for every Nigerian, irrespective of ethnicity, religion or political affiliation.
He also warned against allowing displaced persons to become “forgotten Nigerians,” saying their homes, livelihoods and futures had been disrupted by violence.
The NDC candidate called for sustained support for the affected families and measures that would enable them to return home safely and rebuild their lives.
The visit came a day after Obi said his delegation was prevented from proceeding to Yelwata in Benue State to visit displaced Nigerians and families affected by recent attacks.
Following the setback in Benue, Obi proceeded to Mangu, where he met displaced families and offered what he described as modest support as a gesture of solidarity.
He said the situation underscored the need for a Nigeria where citizens could live, work, farm, raise families and pursue their dreams in peace and security.
“A New Nigeria is possible,” he added.