Plateau killings: Nigerians must not get used to violence – Northern Christians
By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo
The Northern Christian Association, NCA, has condemned the persistent killings in Plateau State, warning that Nigerians must not become so accustomed to violence that the deaths of innocent citizens are treated as normal occurrences.
The association said the latest attacks across communities in the state, which reportedly claimed at least nine lives, including a pastor said to have been killed on his way to church, underscored the urgent need for the government and security agencies to adopt more proactive measures to prevent attacks.
In a statement issued to journalists in Kaduna by its Chairman, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, the NCA expressed concern over the recurring violence and its devastating impact on families, communities and livelihoods.
The association stressed that every life lost represents a human tragedy that should command the attention of government and the wider society, regardless of ethnic, religious or political differences.
According to the NCA, the latest attacks reportedly occurred between Saturday night and Sunday morning in parts of Barkin Ladi, Riyom and neighbouring communities.
It said five persons travelling towards Gana-Ropp in Barkin Ladi were reportedly killed when their vehicle came under attack, while a pastor and another person were killed on their way to church at Dorowa Babuje.
Separate attacks were also reportedly recorded at Baten Wereng and Ratyidi.
Hayab said the frequency of such attacks should not diminish Nigerians’ sense of compassion or concern for victims and their families.
“Is that how lives have become so cheap that they can now be taken at will?
“Nigerians must not get used to killings. Every life matters. We cannot continue to wake up to reports of innocent people being killed and gradually accept such incidents as part of our normal existence. Every life lost is a national tragedy and deserves our collective concern,” he said.
The NCA commended the Federal and Plateau State governments, as well as security personnel, for their efforts in protecting citizens, but urged the authorities to urgently review the security situation in vulnerable communities across the state.
Hayab called for stronger intelligence gathering and early-warning mechanisms capable of identifying and neutralising threats before they escalate into attacks.
He noted that while additional deployment of security personnel could provide temporary reassurance to affected communities, the long-term objective should be to develop a security system capable of detecting threats early and responding swiftly to credible intelligence.
The NCA chairman also called for closer collaboration between security agencies and local communities, stressing that residents should be regarded as critical partners in efforts to tackle insecurity.
He said residents were often the first to notice unusual movements, suspicious activities and emerging threats, adding that timely transmission of such information to security agencies could help prevent attacks.
The association further called for thorough investigations into the reported attacks and urged security agencies to arrest and prosecute those found responsible in accordance with the law.
It conciliated with the families of those killed, affected communities and the Plateau State Government, while urging the authorities to provide appropriate support to victims and residents whose lives and livelihoods had been disrupted by the violence.
The NCA said the recurring attacks demonstrated that the effectiveness of security institutions should not be measured only by their response after incidents but also by their capacity to anticipate threats, prevent attacks and protect vulnerable communities.
It urged all stakeholders to work together to restore confidence among residents
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