Nigeria, July 13 -- The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has condemned the latest wave of violence in Benue and Plateau states, saying the country can no longer accept what he described as a "relentless cycle of bloodshed."

Mr Obi's reaction followed fresh attacks within the Po Local Government Area of Benue State and the m Local Government Area of Plateau State that left dozens of people dead.

"The tragic news of yet another round of killings in Benue and Plateau States is both painful and deeply disturbing," Mr Obi said in a statement on Monday.

"The reported murder of at least sixteen innocent Nigerians in the Otukpo-Nobi community of Benue State, alongside the horrific killing of nine memb...