A gang of Boko Haram terrorists has killed four soldiers and a civilian in a fresh attack on Mussa community of the Askira-Uba council area in Borno State.

The farming settlement, located on the southern fringe of Sambisa Forest, has been severally attacked by terrorists.

The Guardian learnt that the incident occurred around 12:00 midnight on Wednesday.

Confirming the attack yesterday in Maiduguri, the council chairman, Mada Saidu, said the civilian killed was a mother of three.

“There was an attack in the Mussa ward yesterday (Wednesday). They killed one civilian, a woman, and four soldiers recently deployed to the council area,” he said.

A credible military source, who craved anonymity, said: “The four affected soldiers were personnel of the 115 Task Force Battalion deployed to the Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

In a related development, the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Security has convened a special dialogue and security conference to address the persistent insecurity in Plateau, declaring that the situation has overwhelmed the state.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, said the conference formed part of ongoing efforts to find lasting solutions to the recurring unrest.

Represented by John Dafaan, who represents Shendam-Mikang-Quanpan Federal Constituency, the Speaker made the remarks at a one-day town hall security conference in Jos, noting that residents of Plateau State have suffered significant losses over the years.

“The scale of property destruction has been staggering. Over 18,000 houses, places of worship, and farmlands have been destroyed. As many as 400 communities have been dislocated, leaving about 80,000 people internally displaced,” he said.

Abbas further revealed that since 2001, the state has experienced prolonged and severe violence, resulting in thousands of deaths, largely from communal clashes and terrorist attacks.

According to him, most fatalities occurred between 2001 and 2018 in areas such as Jos North, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, and Jos South.

He added that more recent attacks in Mangu, Bokkos, and Barkin Ladi between December 2023 and April 2024 also claimed hundreds of lives.

The Speaker referenced the Christmas Eve attacks of December 2023 across 17 communities, which resulted in over 200 deaths, numerous injuries, and several missing persons.

The conference followed the recent shooting of residents at Angwan Rukuba of Jos North council.

Speaking at the event, Governor Caleb Mutfwang, represented by his deputy, Josephine Piyo, submitted that the people of the state are yearning for lasting peace.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to addressing insecurity, emphasising the protection of lives and property, adherence to the rule of law, and the pursuit of justice.

In his welcome address, Chairman of the Special Dialogue and Security Conference, Wale Ahmed, urged participants to provide practical recommendations to end the violence.

He also assured attendees that those who preferred to make submissions in closed-door sessions would be accommodated, and that all contributions would be duly considered.

ALSO, Governor Mutfwang has convened a high-level strategic meeting with his predecessors and key stakeholders to address the rising security challenges and chart a path towards lasting peace in the state.

The meeting, which was held yesterday at the Government House, Jos, brought together former governors Simon Bako Lalong, Jonah David Jang, Joshua Chibi Dariye, and former military administrator, Rear Admiral Samuel Bitrus Atukum (rtd), among other prominent leaders.

Mutfwang said the closed-door session extensively deliberated on issues affecting the well-being, welfare and overall development of Plateau people, with particular focus on the recent wave of violent attacks in rural communities.

The meeting critically reviewed the security situation in the state, with participants expressing concern over the persistent loss of lives and destruction of property.
The leaders, however, resolved to work collectively to end the violence by promoting sustainable peace, strengthening unity, and encouraging harmonious coexistence among residents.

They also agreed on the need to pursue justice for victims and to establish robust frameworks that reflect the values of courage, discipline, and patriotism associated with Plateau people.

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has frowned on the persistent and escalating killings in Plateau and Benue states.

It said the repeated attacks have exposed a dangerous pattern of weak response, policy failure, and troubling silence from both the Plateau and Benue state governments.

It said the seeming inability of state authorities to decisively confront these atrocities has emboldened perpetrators and left citizens defenceless.

HURIWA condemned what it termed the posture of the Benue State government, particularly the earlier dismissal of claims of genocide, in the face of mounting local and international concerns, as deeply troubling.

“While credible international observers, including a visiting United States congressional delegation, reportedly raised alarms over targeted attacks on predominantly Christian communities in parts of Northern Nigeria, the state government chose a path of denial rather than decisive action. Equally disturbing is the situation in Plateau State, where the governor has publicly acknowledged that several rural communities are effectively under the control or occupation of armed groups, yet no commensurate action has been taken to reclaim these territories or ensure the safe return of displaced residents. Such admissions, without corresponding security measures, amount to an abdication of the fundamental duty of government to protect lives and property,” it added.

In a statement by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA insisted: “Nigeria cannot afford a situation where citizens are abandoned to their fate while armed groups operate with impunity. The sanctity of human life must be upheld, and justice must not only be done but seen to be done. These killings must never be forgotten, ignored, or trivialised. The time for decisive action is now.”