Northern senators seek end to cycle of human killings in Plateau

The National Senators Forum has urgently called for an end to the cycle of bloodshed plaguing Plateau State. In a recent statement, the Forum expressed deep sorrow for the victims of the recent attack that occurred on August 18, in which at least 25 individuals, predominantly women and children, met their demise. The Forum highlighted the tragic frequency of such incidents in Plateau, with dozens of lives lost, thousands injured, tens of thousands displaced, and countless homes and farms destroyed over the past three years.

The Forum commended the Nigerian Army and Joint Task Force, OPEP, for their prompt response to the crisis, including the deployment of additional troops and equipment, as well as the relocation of the OPEP tactical headquarters to Mangu Local Government Area. However, the Forum urged the Plateau State Government to take more decisive action by facilitating genuine community dialogue among farmers, herders, and traditional institutions to address land use, grazing routes, and compensation for those affected.

The Forum also emphasized the need for a transparent compensation and resettlement framework for victims and internally displaced persons to ensure justice rather than reprisal. Furthermore, the Forum called upon the government to invest in advanced technologies such as drones, CCTV, and early warning systems in high-risk areas to prevent attacks before they occur.

The Forum stressed that the security and welfare of the people are the paramount responsibilities of the government, as outlined in Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, and urged citizens to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies in apprehending the perpetrators, while urging governments at all levels to shift from a reactive approach to proactive prevention.