In the wake of recent deadly attacks in Plateau State, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has strongly condemned the violence, urging both the government and local communities to take swift action to address the issue of insecurity. Ribadu, during a visit to the state, stated that the time to end the senseless killings had come, emphasizing the need for all citizens to work together to restore peace to the region.
The attacks, which occurred last week in Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA), have claimed the lives of at least 50 people, leaving many others injured and traumatized. The gunmen, who arrived in large numbers, launched their attack on unsuspecting villagers in what appears to be another chapter in the ongoing security challenges facing Plateau State.
Ribadu, who spoke at the headquarters of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), which oversees security operations in the region, expressed deep concern over the recurrent violence. He acknowledged the difficult times the state and the nation are going through but emphasized that these challenges are not insurmountable.
“We are going through tough times, difficult times, but it’s not going to be forever,” Ribadu said. “The issue of security is for all of us. We all have to come together. Everyone has a role to play. But I think that communities—those who have been living together for years and decades—it’s time for us to say enough is enough.”
The NSA commended the efforts of the security agencies, particularly the armed forces, for their quick response in the aftermath of the attacks. He also pointed out that while security forces were doing their best, communities themselves could do more in preventing violence and fostering peace. Ribadu noted that when communities fail to resolve disputes peacefully, it opens the door for criminals and miscreants to take advantage of the situation.
Ribadu further appealed to the media to report accurate and responsible information, stressing that truthfulness is key to maintaining the peace and strengthening trust among the people.
The attacks have left the people of Plateau State devastated, especially the Bokkos community, which has long been a peaceful and united region. According to Ribadu, even one life lost is a significant tragedy, and the government is committed to ensuring that such violence does not go unchecked.
Governor Caleb Muftwang of Plateau State has also strongly condemned the killings and promised that the perpetrators would be brought to justice. He expressed his unwavering resolve to ensure that those responsible for the tragic loss of lives in Bokkos are prosecuted and held accountable.
“I want to assure you that the lives lost in Bokkos will not be in vain. Some advised that we cancel this meeting due to the tragic circumstances, but after wide consultations with our leaders both at home and in the Diaspora, we decided to forge ahead,” said Governor Muftwang. “We cannot let those behind these heinous acts think they have broken our spirit. Yes, we are mourning, but by the grace of God, we are not defeated.”
The governor also reflected on the broader context of the violence, noting that the state had made significant strides in recent years to reclaim its identity as the “Home of Peace and Tourism.” He highlighted the fact that Plateau had not witnessed any major security incidents for over a year before the attacks. The violence, he believes, is a deliberate attempt by criminals to disrupt the peace, particularly during the farming season when the state’s agricultural activities are most critical.
The Plateau State Government has already apprehended some of the masterminds behind the attacks and vowed that the era of arrests without prosecution is over. Governor Muftwang reiterated that the state will no longer tolerate any form of violence, and all those found guilty of perpetrating violence will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
“We are learning lessons from these events. Things have changed and will continue to improve as we move forward across the country and on the Plateau,” Ribadu assured, highlighting that efforts to address the root causes of the violence are already underway.
Meanwhile, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), a northern sociopolitical group, has also expressed deep concern over the increasing attacks on communities in Plateau State. In a statement, the ACF condemned the killings and called for urgent action to restore peace to the affected areas.
“To the Federal Government, constitutionally responsible for the protection of lives and properties of citizens, ACF wishes to draw attention, for the umpteenth time, to the deterioration in the state of security in Arewa communities and elsewhere in Nigeria,” said Professor Tukur Muhammad Baba, the National Publicity Secretary of the ACF.
The ACF has urged the government to declare a state of security emergency in vulnerable communities prone to banditry and violence, advocating for the implementation of early-warning and early-response mechanisms. The forum believes that the current security challenges can be addressed more effectively with the participation of local communities in decision-making and action.
Religious bodies have also joined in the call for peace. The Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (Northern CAN) condemned the killings in Bokkos and called for unity and peace among the diverse ethnic and religious groups in the state. Reverend Joseph John Hayab, the Chairman of Northern CAN, described the violence as senseless and urged religious and traditional leaders to promote peace and tolerance.
“We condemn in totality this strange and evil culture of taking human lives. Hiding under religion, ethnicity or any guise to unleash terror on communities is unacceptable. Our societal value for human life has dangerously eroded and this must not be allowed to continue,” the statement read.
In response to the crisis, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has conducted a rapid assessment of the affected areas in Bokkos. Working in collaboration with the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), NEMA is assessing the extent of the damage and the immediate needs of the affected populations. Relief materials have already been approved, and arrangements are underway to deliver them to the victims.
NEMA’s director-general has also promised to strengthen ongoing efforts to provide timely and effective assistance to the victims. The federal government, through NEMA, has vowed to ensure that the victims of the Bokkos attacks receive the necessary support and that similar incidents will not be allowed to escalate in the future.
As Plateau State and the federal government continue to grapple with the aftermath of these violent attacks, the message from the NSA and the state government is clear: enough is enough. The time has come for all Nigerians to unite and work together to end the cycle of violence that has plagued the country for far too long.
