Northern Christians raise fresh alarm over killings in Plateau

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 death of innocent citizens is gradually treated as an ordinary occurrence.

The association said the latest attacks across communities in the state, which reportedly claimed at least nine lives, including a pastor on his way to church, further underscored the urgent need for sustained collaboration among government, security agencies and local communities to prevent further loss of lives. Blueprint reports

In a statement signed and issued to journalists in Kaduna on Tuesday by the NCA Chairman, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, the association expressed concern over the recurring violence and its consequences for families, communities, livelihoods and the wider efforts to restore lasting peace in the state.

NCA: Every life lost is a national tragedy

According to the NCA, the frequency of attacks must not diminish the value attached to human life or weaken the collective sensitivity of Nigerians to the suffering of victims and their families.

The association stressed that every life lost represents a human tragedy that should command the attention of government and the wider society, irrespective of ethnic, religious or political differences.

Hayab said the latest incidents demonstrated the need for all stakeholders to remain vigilant and committed to finding sustainable solutions to the security challenges confronting communities in Plateau and other parts of the country.

“Recent attacks reportedly occurred between Saturday night and Sunday morning across parts of Barkin Ladi, Riyom and neighbouring communities. Five people 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 reported at Baten Wereng and Ratyidi.

“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,” Hayab said.

The reported attacks occurred between Saturday night and Sunday morning, with community sources putting the immediate death toll at at least nine.

NCA commends government, security agencies

While expressing concern over the renewed attacks, the NCA also commended the Federal and Plateau State governments, as well as security personnel who continue to operate in difficult circumstances to protect citizens.

Hayab acknowledged the risks being taken by personnel deployed to vulnerable communities, stressing that security officers also require the support and cooperation of residents to effectively discharge their responsibilities.

He, however, urged the authorities to sustain and strengthen their interventions by paying greater attention to intelligence gathering, early warning mechanisms and rapid response to emerging threats.

According to him, the objective should not only be to respond after an attack has occurred but to develop a security architecture capable of identifying threats early enough to prevent them from turning into violence.

The NCA chairman said a combination of effective intelligence, timely deployment and stronger community engagement could help security agencies respond more effectively to threats in vulnerable areas.

Plateau attacks demand proactive security

Hayab said that while increased deployment of security personnel could provide temporary reassurance to affected communities, the long-term objective should be to strengthen the capacity of security institutions to detect threats, respond swiftly to credible intelligence and prevent attackers from reaching vulnerable settlements.

He noted that communities that have experienced repeated attacks often live under a heightened sense of fear, particularly when residents cannot predict where or when another incident might occur.

The NCA therefore urged the relevant authorities to review security arrangements in vulnerable parts of Plateau and identify areas requiring additional protection.

It said the protection of citizens should remain the central consideration in the deployment of security resources, particularly in communities where residents are engaged in farming, trading, worship and other activities that require movement between settlements.

Communities should be security partners

The association also emphasised the importance of closer cooperation between security agencies and local residents.

According to Hayab, residents are often the first to observe unusual movements, suspicious activities or other signs that may indicate an emerging threat.

He therefore called for reliable and confidential channels through which community members can pass information to security agencies without fear of retaliation or exposure.

“Residents are often the first to notice unusual movements, suspicious activities and emerging threats in their communities. Such information could help security agencies prevent attacks if reliable channels are created for reporting intelligence and appropriate action is taken promptly,” the statement said.

The NCA said community engagement should not be limited to periods immediately following an attack, but should form part of a continuous security strategy.

It added that traditional leaders, religious leaders, youth groups, community associations and other local stakeholders could contribute valuable information and help build confidence between residents and security personnel.

Curfew provides immediate security response

The NCA’s call came as the Plateau State Government introduced additional security measures following the latest attacks.

The state government imposed an immediate dusk-to-dawn curfew on Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu local government areas, restricting movement between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. until further notice.

The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Lohya Ramnap, said the measure was intended to maintain public order, protect lives and allow security agencies to stabilise the affected areas.

Security operatives were directed to enforce the restriction, while the government also announced an immediate ban on the use of motorcycles throughout the affected areas.

The NCA’s position places emphasis on ensuring that such immediate security responses are complemented by intelligence-led measures capable of addressing the threats that produce recurring attacks.

Troops arrest suspected kidnappers, rescue victims

The renewed security concerns have also been accompanied by intensified operations by security personnel in parts of the state.

According to reports, troops of Operation Enduring Peace arrested 11 suspected kidnappers and rescued two victims during security operations across Plateau State.

The development indicates that security agencies are continuing efforts to disrupt criminal activities and protect communities amid the renewed attacks.

The NCA nevertheless urged security agencies to sustain such operations and ensure that intelligence gathered from communities is translated into timely action.

It said successful security operations should also be followed by proper investigation and prosecution where evidence establishes criminal responsibility.

NCA demands investigation, prosecution

The Northern Christian body called for thorough investigations into the latest incidents and urged security agencies to ensure that those found responsible are arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Hayab stressed that accountability was important not only for the victims and their families but also for restoring confidence among communities affected by repeated attacks.

He urged authorities to ensure that investigations are conducted professionally and that anyone found culpable faces the appropriate legal process.

The NCA also cautioned against reprisals, urging residents to resist actions capable of escalating tensions or creating further cycles of violence.

According to the association, justice should be pursued through lawful institutions rather than through retaliatory attacks that could expose additional innocent citizens to danger.

Association commiserates with affected families

The NCA condoled with the families of those killed, the affected communities and the Plateau State Government over the latest incidents.

Hayab said the association shared the grief of families who had lost loved ones and urged authorities to provide appropriate support to victims and residents whose lives and livelihoods had been disrupted by the violence.

He said the impact of insecurity extends beyond the immediate death toll, as families may lose breadwinners, farmers may abandon their fields, businesses may suffer and communities may become increasingly divided by fear.

The association therefore called for sustained efforts to restore confidence and enable residents to return to their normal economic, social and religious activities without fear.

NCA: Security must move beyond reaction

The association said the recurring attacks should serve as a reminder that the effectiveness of a security system should not be measured only by its response after an incident.

Hayab said authorities must equally be judged by their ability to anticipate threats, prevent attacks and protect vulnerable communities.

He acknowledged that security agencies operate in a complex environment and that preventing every incident may be difficult, but stressed that strengthening intelligence gathering, community engagement and rapid response could significantly improve the ability to contain threats.

The NCA also urged Nigerians to reject the temptation to become indifferent to violence simply because attacks have occurred repeatedly.

It said the frequency of killings must instead strengthen the resolve of citizens and institutions to work together towards a safer society.

Stakeholders urged to sustain peace efforts

The NCA called on government, security agencies, community leaders, religious organisations and residents to work collectively towards restoring lasting peace in Plateau State.

It stressed that security should remain a shared responsibility, with government providing the necessary resources and coordination while communities cooperate with security agencies and avoid actions capable of aggravating existing tensions.

Hayab said the association remained committed to peace, justice and the protection of human life, urging all stakeholders to reject violence and support lawful efforts to address insecurity.

The NCA maintained that the people of Plateau and Nigerians generally deserve an environment where they can travel, farm, worship and conduct their legitimate businesses without fear.

It therefore urged authorities to sustain current security interventions while strengthening preventive measures, intelligence gathering and community-based early warning systems.

The association said the ultimate objective should be to ensure that the loss of innocent lives does not become another statistic in Nigeria’s security narrative, but instead serves as a renewed call to action by all institutions and citizens committed to peace and national stability.