The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Government’s commitment to finding a lasting solution to the ongoing attacks and killings in Plateau State.
During an operational visit to the headquarters of Operation Safe Haven in Jos, Ribadu expressed the government’s resolve to end the violence, particularly in the aftermath of deadly attacks on communities in Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA) of the state. Over 50 people were killed in the span of a week in raids on five communities, while more than 300 houses were destroyed by suspected herdsmen.
The Plateau State Government, through Secretary to the Government, Samuel Jatau, also visited some of the affected communities. Jatau assessed the extent of the damage and distributed relief materials to those impacted by the violence.
Ribadu emphasized that the Nigerian Government is dedicated to addressing the root causes of the persistent attacks, which have left many residents in fear and displaced from their homes.
In the wake of the violence, the District Head of Manguna called on the government to increase security personnel in the affected communities to prevent further rural-urban migration and ensure safety in the area.
In one of the hardest-hit communities, Hurti, over 30 individuals were given mass burial after losing their lives in the attacks. The search for other missing persons is still ongoing. Yohanna Michael, a local from Hurti, described how the violence forced over 700 residents to flee their homes, highlighting the urgent need for government intervention and reinforcement of security to enable displaced families to return to their farms.
Meanwhile, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has also expressed deep concern over the escalating violence in the state. In a statement issued on Sunday, the ACF called on the Federal Government to take swift action to halt the killings.
“ACF reiterates its long-standing stance that every new such experience is one too many. Clearly, the people are in great pain, with their situation compounded by existential economic challenges. The killing spree on the Plateau must be stopped immediately, and peace must return to the state,” said Tukur Muhammad-Baba, National Publicity Secretary of the ACF.
The call for action comes as the situation in Plateau continues to deteriorate, with both the Federal and State governments under pressure to restore peace and security to the affected areas.
