President Bola Tinubu has urged Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang to summon the necessary political will to address the ongoing crisis in the state and work towards establishing long-lasting peace. This comes as the state reels from the devastating aftermath of a fresh Sunday night attack on Zike hamlet in Kimakpa community, Bassa Local Government Area, which saw 52 people confirmed dead and properties razed.
The tragic incident, which resulted in the loss of an entire family of eight, has prompted strong reactions from both political leaders and citizens. Governor Mutfwang expressed his sorrow over the killings, describing the situation as a major setback to the peace process in the state. Brigadier-General Gakji Shipi, the Acting Coordinator of Operation Rainbow, confirmed the killings and assured that security agencies are working to resolve the crisis.
The violence, driven by ethnic and religious misunderstandings, has prompted Christian leaders in Plateau State to plan a protest against the unending killings. A “2nd Peace Walk Against Continuous Killings” is scheduled for Monday, April 21, 2025, to demand justice and an end to the senseless violence.
Meanwhile, in a related development, troops from the 3rd Division Nigerian Army and Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) successfully rescued 16 kidnapped victims, including six children, along the Jos-Mangu road.
Reacting to the attacks, President Tinubu expressed his profound sorrow and condemned the violence, stressing the importance of unity and peace among Plateau's diverse communities. The president also instructed security agencies to investigate the crisis and hold the perpetrators accountable. He emphasized that the political leadership, led by Governor Mutfwang, must address the root causes of the violence, which has plagued the region for over two decades.
As the situation in Plateau continues to worsen, Christian leaders are calling for a collective effort to end the violence and restore peace. The planned protest aims to bring attention to the humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing killings and demand swift action from the government to protect the people of Plateau and Nigeria at large.
In a separate development, Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State warned that he cannot guarantee the safety of anyone visiting the state without prior approval. His statement came after attempts to visit the state by opposition figures, including Peter Obi, who alleged being the target of the governor’s warning. Obi, who had intended to visit Benue and Plateau states to show solidarity with displaced persons, expressed disappointment over the lack of cooperation from the state government.
The situation in Plateau and Benue remains tense, with citizens calling on the federal and state governments to step up efforts to restore peace and protect lives.
