After a lull, the killings have resumed in Plateau State, placing it as the epicentre of violence in the country. It was such that its Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, declared the recent killings as “brazen terrorist activity. It is nothing but genocide. And I mean every word I used.” Mutfwang further alleged that about 64 communities have been taken over by gunmen in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas (LGAs).

As repulsive as these killings and destruction of property are, they didn’t start today. This year alone, Plateau State witnessed upsurge of killing spree. Records show that no fewer than 79 persons were killed between February 2 and April 8 this year across four local government areas in the state.

Also, data shows that between April 17 and August 12, 2023, at least 346 people were killed in eight LGAs of the state. During a 2023 Christmas Eve attack in 25 communities in three LGAs in the state, over 150 people were killed, and about 221 houses razed. On December 23, at least 15 people were killed and several others injured following an attack on Gidan Ado, Ganawuri, Riyom LGA.

In fact, a researcher and leader of Rural Youth Integral Support Initiative, Gastor Barrie, said a total of 2,866 attacks, 1,107 deaths, and 27,330 farms destroyed were recorded from 2001 to March 2025 in the Irigwe area of the state.

Following the latest killings, especially in Bokkos LGA, there was the usual flurry of visits and holding of the customary town hall meetings with stakeholders. The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, led the trail penultimate Sunday, visiting the headquarters of Operation Safe Haven in Jos. Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, was in Bokkos LGA on Monday, April 7.

On Wednesday, April 9, long after the killings, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, deployed counter-terrorism personnel, drones, Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), Mobile Police Force (MPF), helicopters and specialised platoons from the Special Intervention Squad (SIS).

The recent killings elicited torrents of condemnations, from Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and Arewa Youths Conservative Forum (AYCF), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, League of Northern Democrats (LND) to civil society groups.

While we at Daily Trust offer our condolences to families of the victims, we also state that we are appalled at the unending killings and believe that they have gone beyond mere condemnations. The unacceptable and disheartening spilling of blood must stop. No one should be allowed to diminish the value of human life under any guise.

Moreover, the situation has exacerbated humanitarian challenges as people have fled their homes, living in Internally Displaced Persons’ camps (IDPs). It is also worsening the problem of food insecurity as farmers are afraid to go to farms and those who manage to go find it difficult to access the farms during harvest season.

Daily Trust insists that all stakeholders must find lasting solutions and stop the prevailing situation where violence, killings, burials and wailing have become too common. It is time to restore normalcy. On no account should living in fear, either at home, farms or markets or facing the risk of being killed, kidnapped and maimed daily in any part of Nigeria be normalised.

Most importantly, the federal government should activate and deploy real time actionable intelligence gathering and processing assets available to the nation’s defence and security agencies to proactively stop these attacks before they happen and if they unfortunately take place, to conduct quick investigation, identification, arrest and prosecution of perpetrators and enablers of these violence. This is what rule of law demands – ensuring that all those found culpable face the full wrath of the law to serve as deterrent to others. No perpetuator or sponsor of violence should roam easily and freely.

There must be clear improvement of security and its sustenance through proven defence and security operational successes in troops’ areas of responsibility. Mere declarations by the military cannot guarantee peace.

Moreover, Daily Trust calls on Plateau residents to realise that no side wins in any attempt to wipe out another. They must prioritise peace. All stakeholders – political, religious, traditional, community including youths, women and other organisations should rise above primordial sentiments and come together, forgiving one another and learning again how to live together. They must not forget that their failure to live peacefully made miscreants and criminals to take advantage and sow the seeds of gory violence.

No one should live in denial or underplay the seriousness of the situation. What is required is decisive, authoritative, bold and courageous leadership by both federal and state governments. Perhaps, it is time to remind them that their primary constitutional responsibility is the provision of security of the lives and property of citizens. The situation demands special deployment of troops in all violence-prone areas as these are not sporadic but pre-meditated killings. It has happened for far too long. The time to stop the prevalent constant atmosphere of fear, gloom and mourning in Plateau is now. (Daily Trust Editorial)