The ongoing wave of violence in Plateau State continues to inflict unbearable suffering on innocent citizens. Between January and April 2026 alone, reports indicate that over 150 individuals have been killed across localities including Anguwan Rukuba, Barkin Ladi, Bassa, and Jos South, with scores more injured or displaced. Despite repeated appeals, the question on the lips of every Plateau resident remains: now that the Military has successfully recovered arms from indigenous militias, when will they similarly track and neutralize the heavily armed terrorists orchestrating these attacks?
The state’s failure to confront the reality of terrorism has created an environment where impunity thrives. Terrorists routinely raid villages, occupy ancestral lands, and post videos of their atrocities, while security agencies appear unable or unwilling to act decisively. For example, the March 12 attack in Anguwan Rukuba left more than 30 people dead and several homes razed, yet the perpetrators remain at large. Similarly, bandit raids in Bassa Local Government Area in late February displaced entire communities, highlighting systemic gaps in security intelligence and response.
The roots of this crisis are multifaceted. Religious bigotry has been exploited to advance personal and political ambitions, with both sides of the divide affected. Communal tensions, long-standing injustices, and state neglect have fueled cycles of revenge and self-preservation. Compounding these challenges are structural issues such as poverty, unemployment, and hunger, which exacerbate vulnerability and instability.
Above all, the absence of political will has emboldened perpetrators. Rhetorical assurances, town hall meetings, and briefings by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and federal authorities have not stemmed the carnage. Unlike terrorists, the state does not require consultations to act decisively. Plateau citizens can no longer afford the comfort of lip service, urgent, concrete interventions are needed. The failure to act threatens not only the security of the state but also national stability.
It is imperative that the Plateau State government, in collaboration with federal security agencies, prioritize the recovery of arms from terrorists and bandits, enforce intelligence-led operations, and prosecute offenders. Failure to do so risks entrenching a culture of impunity, perpetuating violence, and eroding citizens’ trust in governance.
The time for rhetoric has passed, action must now define the state’s commitment to protecting its people.
© Barrister Solomon Dalung
