Tinubu Condemns Plateau Killings, Urges Political Will to End Communal Bloodshed

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has voiced deep outrage over the latest wave of deadly violence in Plateau State, where at least 51 people were killed in brutal attacks on communities in the Bassa Local Government Area. The President’s strong condemnation was accompanied by a call for urgent and lasting political action to address the root causes of the conflict that has plagued the North Central region for over two decades.

The recent killings, which occurred in the early hours of Monday in Zikke and Kakpa villages, follow closely on the heels of another violent episode two weeks earlier, which left at least 52 people dead and displaced nearly 2,000 others. These tragedies continue to underscore the volatile state of security in Plateau, where ethno-religious and land-related disputes have turned deadly time and again.

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Plateau: A Region Crying Out for Peace

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed sorrow over the senseless loss of lives and demanded urgent resolution from Plateau State’s leadership.

“We cannot allow this devastation and the tit-for-tat attacks to continue. Enough is enough,” the President said.

He urged Governor Caleb Mutfwang to rise above political limitations and face the underlying issues driving the violence—chiefly, ethnic and religious tensions exacerbated by long-standing grievances over land use and communal mistrust.

“These problems have been with us for more than two decades. We can no longer ignore the underlying issues,” Tinubu noted. “It is time to tackle them fairly and find a lasting solution.”

He stressed that federal and state governments must collaborate to halt the cycle of retaliatory violence and pledged the Federal Government’s support in fostering meaningful dialogue and social cohesion.

Federal Government Pledges Support and Investigation

Tinubu further revealed that security agencies had been directed to launch a thorough investigation into the latest attacks and apprehend those responsible.

He called on religious, traditional, and political leaders within and outside the state to rally together in unity and dissuade communities from resorting to violence.

“The Federal Government remains committed to supporting Governor Mutfwang and the Plateau State government in promoting dialogue, fostering social cohesion, and ensuring accountability—crucial steps towards permanently resolving the conflict in Plateau,” the President emphasized.

Youth Groups Demand Accountability and Self-Defense Rights

Amid growing frustration with repeated killings, the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM) issued a strong statement condemning the violence and called for the Fulani militant groups to be designated as terrorist organizations. The youth group, which has long spoken out against attacks on indigenous communities in Plateau, said the security lapses that enabled the killings must be urgently addressed.

“The BYM is saddened by the systemic premeditated killings of unsuspecting residents,” read a joint statement by BYM National President Solomon Mwantiri and General Secretary Bature Adazaram.

Citing video evidence allegedly linked to the attackers, the group insisted that the violence was not random but planned, deliberate, and executed with impunity. The BYM also demanded legislative changes to allow Nigerians to bear arms for self-defense, especially in rural communities constantly exposed to such threats.

Amnesty International, Locals Decry Insecurity

Amnesty International Nigeria echoed these sentiments, describing the killings as inexcusable and pointing to repeated failures by security agencies to prevent attacks despite warning signs.

“The inexcusable security lapses that enabled this horrific attack, two weeks after the killing of 52 people, must be investigated,” the organization said.

Local residents recounted the horror of the attacks. Youth leader Joseph Chudu described how gunmen arrived around midnight and unleashed mayhem for over an hour, leaving behind charred homes and scores of casualties. “We need blood urgently for the injured,” Chudu pleaded, referring to the ongoing treatment of victims at Jos University Teaching Hospital.

Army Intervenes, Rescues Kidnapped Passengers

In a rare glimmer of hope, the Nigerian Army confirmed a successful rescue operation involving 16 kidnapped passengers along the Jos–Mangu Road. According to Major Samson Zhakom, spokesperson for Operation Safe Haven, troops recovered an abandoned vehicle and tracked the kidnappers into nearby bushes, securing the hostages’ release.

The operation, initiated late Sunday night, underscores the potential for effective military response when intelligence and rapid action align.

Path to Peace Still Uncertain

Plateau State, often referred to as the heart of Nigeria’s Middle Belt, is emblematic of the country’s deeply entrenched inter-communal conflicts. While ethnic and religious identities often frame the narrative, the reality is more complex—land scarcity, climate change, and dwindling resources continue to strain historically fragile relations between herders and farmers.

President Tinubu’s condemnation, while firm, is only the latest in a long list of official responses to Plateau’s violence. Whether this time it will be followed by genuine political resolve and concrete action remains to be seen.

What is clear is that the people of Plateau—mothers, children, farmers, and elders—can no longer afford the cost of inaction. They are demanding justice, protection, and above all, peace.