Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has raised strong concerns over the continued wave of killings in Plateau State, describing the attacks as coordinated acts of terrorism and accusing the federal government of failing to respond effectively.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the repeated violence in Plateau communities now shows a clear pattern of organised terror attacks rather than random clashes.
He said the situation reflects what he called a collapse of security under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, warning that the government’s response to the crisis has been inadequate.
According to him, the people of Plateau State are facing sustained attacks that require urgent and serious action from security agencies and the federal government.
“The violent crises in Plateau State have become an open sore that Nigeria must urgently heal,” Atiku said.
“What is happening is no longer random violence. It is a recurring pattern of coordinated terror attacks against vulnerable communities.”
The former vice president said the continued killings in the state show that Nigeria does not yet have an effective strategy to deal with terrorism and armed violence affecting rural communities.
He expressed concern that despite repeated attacks in several local government areas, there has not been a lasting solution to the crisis.
Atiku also criticised what he described as the slow and weak response to the security situation, saying it has left many communities exposed and unprotected.
He insisted that the cycle of killings must stop immediately, warning that continued loss of lives could deepen national insecurity and worsen tensions across affected regions.
“The people of Plateau State deserve safety, justice, and peace — not endless mourning and empty political rhetoric,” he said.
Plateau State has for years experienced recurring violence involving armed groups, communal clashes, and attacks on rural settlements.
Several communities in the state have been attacked in the past, leading to deaths, displacement of residents, and destruction of homes and farmlands.
The state, located in Nigeria’s North-Central region, has often been described as one of the flashpoints of insecurity in the country due to its mix of ethnic and religious diversity, which has sometimes fuelled local tensions.
In recent months, there have been renewed reports of attacks on villages in parts of Plateau, with many residents calling for stronger security presence and faster response from authorities.
Security agencies have continued to deploy personnel to troubled areas, but incidents of violence have persisted in some communities despite these efforts.
Atiku’s comments add to growing political and public concerns over insecurity in different parts of Nigeria, particularly in the North where armed groups, bandits and communal conflicts have continued to affect many states.
Opposition figures and civil society groups have repeatedly called on the federal government to strengthen its security architecture and improve intelligence gathering to prevent attacks before they occur.
However, government officials have often responded by saying that security agencies are working hard to address the challenges, while noting that insecurity is a complex issue requiring time and coordinated efforts to resolve.
The Presidency has also in the past maintained that progress is being made in the fight against insecurity, even though challenges remain in some regions.
Atiku, who served as Vice President from 1999 to 2007, has remained one of the leading opposition voices in Nigeria’s political space.
He has consistently spoken on issues relating to governance, the economy and national security, often criticising government policies and calling for reforms.
His latest statement on Plateau comes amid growing pressure on authorities to respond more decisively to insecurity across the country.
In Plateau State, residents in affected communities have continued to appeal for protection, especially in rural areas where attacks often occur with little or no warning.
Many families have been displaced from their homes due to repeated violence, while others have lost loved ones and livelihoods.
Farmers in some parts of the state have also abandoned their farmlands due to fear of attacks, raising concerns about food security in the region.
Community leaders have repeatedly urged the government to strengthen security patrols and improve early warning systems to prevent further bloodshed.
They have also called for reconciliation efforts to address long-standing tensions that sometimes fuel violence in the state.
Atiku’s statement is expected to further intensify public debate on the security situation in Plateau and Nigeria as a whole, especially as political activities gradually build towards future elections.
For now, Plateau State remains on edge as residents await more effective measures to stop the recurring attacks and restore lasting peace to affected communities.