Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has appealed to the community recently attacked to forgive the government because they failed them.
The governor, who paid a visit to the attacked community to sympathise with the people, expressed sorrow over the incident, admitting that despite efforts made, the government fell short in preventing the tragedy.
“The whole nation mourns with you, the international community mourns with you. I have cried since yesterday. All arrangements were put in place to avoid this, yet we failed you. On behalf of the government and security agencies, please forgive us,” he said.
The governor condemned the continuous attacks that have plagued the Irigwe land and promised renewed commitment toward ending the violence. He lamented the state of infrastructure, including poor roads, attributing it to years of neglect due to insecurity and terrorism.
“We are more determined than ever to ensure that no more innocent blood is shed on the Plateau. There’s no reason for anyone to take the law into their hands. While we continue to invest in security, communities must also rise to defend themselves. We can no longer afford to sleep while the enemy strikes at night,” he warned.
He called on youths to stay vigilant, especially during the upcoming farming season.
“This is not the time to lament or trade blame. It’s time to unite and protect one another. The people who attack us are not ghosts — they are known, and those shielding them are complicit,” he added.
He also conveyed the assurances of President Tinubu, promising federal support for them not just to survive, but to thrive in their ancestral land.
Kwankwaso: Perpetrators of Plateau Killings Must Be Brought to Book
Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in 2023, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has called on the relevant authorities to ensure that perpetrators of the heinous killings in Plateau State were brought to book.
He asked the federal government to rise to their responsibility to ensure that Plateau State did not become a hotbed of violence by ensuring that lives and property were protected.
Kwankwaso, in a post on his verified Facebook handle, said: “I am saddened to learn of the attack on the Zike community, Kimakpa, Kwall district of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, which resulted in the death of 51 people and destruction of several properties.
“This sad attack came after over 50 persons were killed within a week in attacks over five communities in the state.
“It is important that Plateau State must not be allowed to become a hotbed of violence and wanton destruction again after the relative peace it has enjoyed in recent years.
“The federal government must rise to its responsibility to ensure that all lives and properties are protected and the message of peace should be embraced by everyone in the state and beyond.
“I extend my condolences to the government and people of Plateau State. I also urge the authorities to ensure that justice is served by bringing the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to book,” Kwankwaso stated.
IGP to Attackers: Your Days Are Numbered
The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, has warned the criminals attacking rural communities in Plateau State that their days were numbered.
He also assured the people of the federal government’s commitment to ensuring adequate security in the state and the region.
Egbetokun gave the assurance during a visit to Governor Caleb Mutfwang, following the recent attacks that have claimed over 100 lives and displaced several others from their communities.
He expressed condolences to the victims and communities affected by the violence.
“We condemn these acts of violence and recognise their devastating impact, especially on local farmers. In response, we have deployed more security personnel and resources to the affected areas and are working closely with other security agencies.
“Intelligence gathering efforts have also been intensified to identify and bring the masterminds behind these attacks to justice,” he said, commending the state government’s efforts.
The IG, who assured the state that, “we will work tirelessly until these issues are resolved”, further noted that the attackers were taking advantage of the limited security manpower across the local governments, but reassured the people that the tide would soon turn.
“I assure you that these criminal elements will soon be outnumbered. I appeal to the people of Plateau to remain calm and peaceful,” he said.
Mutfwang commended the Police boss for coming to the state and described the attacks on innocent villagers as unprovoked.
Jang: Killings Far from Communal Disputes
A former Governor of Plateau State, Senator Jonah Jang, has dismissed misconception that the persistent attacks and killings in the state had anything to do with communal crisis.
While noting that President Bola Tinubu might not have been accurately briefed on the state of things in the state, Jang, in a press statement personally signed, commended the president for showing determination to end the killings in the state.
“I commend Governor Caleb Mutfwang for his tireless efforts to find a lasting solution to this crisis. His dedication to the safety and well-being of Plateau citizens is truly commendable.
“I also applaud President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his determination to stop the senseless killings of innocent citizens. His commitment to protecting the lives of Nigerians, particularly those in Plateau State, is a positive step forward.
“However, I believe it is important to address a misconception in the President’s recent statement directing Governor Mutfwang to resolve the ‘communal issue’. This suggestion appears to stem from inaccurate briefings by his advisers.
“The attacks in Plateau State are not merely communal disputes; they are perpetrated by a known group with a specific agenda. It is crucial for the President to understand the true nature of these attacks in order to address them effectively.”
Jang advised the president to convene an expanded meeting with community leaders to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the situation in Plateau State.
He said such a meeting would provide a platform for stakeholders to share their insights and experiences, enabling the president to develop a more informed approach to tackling the problem.
Northern CAN Seeks Justice for Victims
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has condemned the latest killings in Bassa Local Area of Plateau state.
Chairman of the association, Rev. Yakubu Pam, made the condemnation in a statement on Tuesday.
He called on security agencies to act swiftly and apprehend perpetrators of the killings and bring them to justice.
Pam also called for an end to the senseless killings in Plateau and other parts of the country.
“We are deeply saddened and outraged by the senseless and barbaric attacks that have claimed the lives of innocent and peace-loving citizens.
“These repeated acts of violence are not only a violation of human dignity and the sanctity of life, but they are also a direct threat to the peace and unity of our state and the nation at large,” the statement said.
The Northern CAN said it stood in solidarity with the grieving families and the entire people of Bassa LGA in this moment of pain.
“We call on security agencies to act swiftly and decisively to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
“We also urge the government at all levels to take proactive steps to protect vulnerable communities and prevent further loss of lives,” Pam said.
He stressed that the time had come for all stakeholders — traditional rulers, religious leaders, security operatives, and community-based organisations to unite and work together to end the cycle of violence that has plagued Plateau for too long.
IPCR Decries Violence, Bloodletting, Killing
The Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, has expressed deep concern over the recurring violence, bloodletting, and killings in Plateau State and other parts of Nigeria.
Ochogwu, in a statement, echoed President Bola Tinubu’s sentiments, condemning recent killings in Plateau and parts of Benue States as “festering reprisal attacks, needless and avoidable bloodletting among communities.”
He condemned the Sunday killings that resulted in several deaths, noting the region’s history of recurring conflicts and tragic loss of innocent lives.
Ochogwu urged community leaders, religious leaders, and traditional rulers to collaborate to foster genuine and long-lasting peace.
“Efforts should focus on rebuilding trust and restoring harmony to conflict-affected areas. Understanding the context of violent attacks and addressing root causes is crucial to preventing future conflicts,” he said.
He emphasised that understanding conflict complexities and addressing root causes could promote peace and stability in Plateau and beyond.
C&S Movement Decries Effect of Insecurity
Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide, has lamented the devastating effect of insecurity that has pervaded every part of the country and decried the bloodshed and kidnapping going on in different states in Nigeria.
The church made this known on Tuesday in Lagos during a press conference to mark the 56thAscension of Mount Horeb 2025, and disclosed that some members of the church in some states were kidnapped.
It said while some regained their freedom, others were killed, adding that although tragic, such incidents would not dampen their morale, rather, they spurred them to serve God more and seek to find permanent solutions to the crises that have bedeviled the nation.
Chairman and Spiritual Head of the Church, His Grace, Spiritual Father, Prophet Emmanuel Abiodun Adewale Alogbo, urged Nigerians to protect one another by making useful information available to their neighbours to help them avoid dangerous places and also provide important information to security operatives to help them identify suspected criminals and take decisive action against them.
“We must play our part by providing information at our behest to our neighbours to help save them from danger. We should also give important information to the law enforcement personnel to help them carry on their jobs very effectively. Alert people who may want to go into danger if you know about it,” he said.
He noted that the mission and vision of the church was to spread the light of God and his love; nurture the spiritual lives of members, and provide meaningful support to the wider community.
AAN Says Attacks Shameful Violence Cycle
ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has condemned the recent massacre in Plateau State, describing it as yet another chapter in the shameful cycle of violence.
AAN, in a statement by its Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, said it was “outraged by the savage attack on Zike community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, which left over 40 innocent Nigerians dead in a single night.
“This cold-blooded massacre, carried out in the early hours of Monday, April 14, is yet another chapter in the shameful cycle of violence that has plagued Plateau State.
“This was not a sudden or unpredictable tragedy. Community members raised the alarms ahead of the attack. They warned of threats. They called for help.
“But once again, they were ignored. The attackers stormed Zike around midnight and operated for nearly two hours – killing, burning and destroying – while security forces were nowhere to be found.
“ActionAid Nigeria condemns this heinous act in the strongest possible terms and holds the Nigerian government accountable for its continued failure to protect lives of Nigerians in Plateau state and across the country.
“We stand in total and unshakable solidarity with the people of Zike and every community across Bassa, Bokkos, and Mangu that has suffered these atrocities.
“These are not numbers; these are human beings, families, farmers, and children. Nigerians who deserve to live in peace and dignity. ActionAid Nigeria demands immediate and concrete action from both the Federal and Plateau State Governments.
Group Warns against Sabotaging Counter-Terrorism Efforts, Lauds DSS
A Civil Society Organisation (CSO), the Northern Ethnic Youth Group Assembly (NEYGA), has lauded the Department of State Services (DSS) for its continued patriotic contributions to national stability and its ongoing fight against banditry and terrorism.
The group, however, regretted that some unpatriotic elements had launched a campaign to impugn the integrity of the DSS with the aim of inciting the public against the agency.
A statement by the spokesperson of the organisation, Ibrahim Dan-Musa, said: “We read stories quoting some phantom local hunters on the alleged misuse of sophisticated telephone tracking technology by some DSS operatives.”
The report alleged that technology intended for rescuing kidnap victims was instead being used by some DSS operatives to extort money from criminals in exchange for concealing their locations.
“While we do not, and certainly cannot, hold a brief for the DSS, we, however, dare say, without fear of contradiction, that such stories were conjured to give the agency a bad name.
“We aren’t surprised that this falsehood is coming from the same self-styled activist, who falsely accused the DSS of abducting a civil rights activist to please certain political interests. He has since disowned the said activist and publicly apologised for his unfounded allegations against the northern governor.
“The said activist, in a viral video, falsely accused the DSS of storming the Federal High Court on the day the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned former Governor Yahaya Bello.
“It turned out that no single DSS operative was anywhere near the court on the said day. We can’t thank President Bola Tinubu enough for appointing a thoroughbred professional like Tosin Ajayi as Director General of the DSS,” the statement said.
Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Emmanuel Addeh, Michael Olugbode, Linus Aleke, John Shiklam, Seriki Adinoyi, Chinedu Eze and Francis Sardauna
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