Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, has extended a helping hand to the victims of the Christmas Eve attacks in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi local government areas of Plateau State. During a visit to the Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs’) camp in Bokkos LGA on Saturday, Obi announced a generous donation of N10 million to support those affected by the tragic events.
Expressing his sadness during the visit, Obi addressed the victims at the Church of Christ in Nation (COCIN) Bokkos, emphasizing the humanitarian challenges faced by the victims who have lost loved ones and their sources of livelihood. He stressed the importance of collective support beyond government intervention.
“I’m not just here to offer them my token, but to mobilize other Nigerians and corporate organizations to come to the aid of these victims,” said Obi. He called on Nigerians to show love and provide assistance with essential needs such as food and clothing for those residing in IDPs.
Obi also used the opportunity to urge the federal government to take decisive action against the issue of gunmen across the country. He challenged the government to put an end to the ongoing bloodshed, emphasizing that with determination, these incidents could be curbed.
“I believe if the federal government is determined to stop these killings, they can do it. I therefore challenge the federal government to end the bloodshed across the country,” Obi asserted.
Encouraging forgiveness, Obi advised the victims and the entire Plateau community to forgive their attackers and entrust the pursuit of justice to God.
In a welcome address, the chairman of Bokkos LGA, Hon Monday Kassa, revealed that over 4,000 displaced people are spread across 12 IDP camps in the local government. Obi’s donation comes as a significant contribution to support the affected individuals during these challenging times.