Former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Adewole Adebayo, has called on the Federal Government to adopt a more responsive, humane, and community-driven approach to security following the recent killings in Plateau State.
Adebayo made the appeal on Monday during a condolence visit to Angwa Rukuba in Jos, where he met with families affected by the attacks. The visit comes amid growing concern over recurring violence in Plateau communities, with residents repeatedly complaining about poor security presence and delayed responses during emergencies.
Describing the incident as a painful reminder of Nigeria’s ongoing security struggles, he lamented that criminal elements had once again disrupted the peace of a once-thriving community.
“Our brothers and sisters who are fleeing are now sacrificial lambs for those who want to take away peace,” he said.
“There is God. God is always responsible, even if the government is not. Plateau is a gift to Nigeria, and that gift will endure.”
Despite the tragedy, Adebayo urged residents not to lose hope, stressing that justice would prevail. He noted that moments like this are when leadership must show empathy and responsibility.
“When such incidents happen, it is the best time for government to step in, comfort the people, and prioritise victims,” he said. “Security agencies must be better equipped and work closely with communities to build a stronger, more effective system.”
He also stressed the need to bring those responsible to justice, warning that allowing impunity would only encourage further violence.
“The criminals behind this must be found and punished. Families deserve justice, and communities must be protected,” he added.
Adebayo further urged Bola Tinubu to treat the situation as a turning point in strengthening national security and restoring public confidence.
“This is an opportunity for the President to show compassion and leadership, so Nigerians can feel assured that their lives matter, no matter where they are,” he said.
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Speaking earlier, the District Head of Angwa Rukuba, Haruna Bala, criticised the absence of security personnel during the attack, noting that the assailants operated freely without resistance.
“They came, did what they wanted, and left without anyone stopping them. That is very troubling,” he said.
Bala appealed to security authorities, including the Inspector-General of Police, to upgrade the community’s police outpost and deploy more personnel and equipment to improve response time.
He described Angwa Rukuba as a diverse and vibrant community, home to people from different ethnic backgrounds living and working together, making the need for stronger security even more urgent.
