By Palang Paul
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has said over 45,000 residents have been displaced by terrorist attacks in Plateau State.
Obi disclosed this on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, after visiting an Internally Displaced Persons camp in Mangu Local Government Area, where more than 500 displaced persons are sheltered.
The former Anambra State governor said he visited the camp on Tuesday after his delegation was prevented from travelling to Yelwata in Benue State to meet displaced persons and families affected by recent attacks.
According to Obi, the displaced persons in Mangu were among thousands of Nigerians forced to abandon their ancestral communities, homes and sources of livelihood because of insecurity.
He described the situation in Mangu as “deeply disturbing,” claiming that more than 45,000 people had been displaced and over 20 communities had been sacked by terrorists.
Obi said the affected residents wanted to return to their ancestral homes, rebuild their communities, cultivate their farms and resume their lives in peace and dignity.
He called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to secure affected communities and restore the confidence of residents displaced by violence.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election said the protection of 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,” Obi said.
He urged the government to guarantee the right to life, safety, dignity and livelihood of citizens, particularly those living in communities affected by insecurity.
Obi also warned against allowing displaced Nigerians to become forgotten victims of the country’s worsening security situation.
He said government must create the necessary conditions for the safe and dignified return of displaced persons, secure their communities and support reconstruction efforts.
The former governor said he concluded his visit by providing what he described as modest support to some displaced families as a demonstration of solidarity and compassion.
The development comes amid continued security concerns in parts of Plateau and Benue states, where recurring attacks and communal violence have displaced residents and disrupted agricultural activities.
Obi said his vision for a “New Nigeria” includes a country where citizens can live, work, farm, raise families and pursue their aspirations without fear.
“A New Nigeria is Possible,” he added.
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