Former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has called for urgent and decisive action from the Federal Government following deadly attacks in Angwa Rukuba, Plateau State, warning that continued inaction risks deepening insecurity and eroding public confidence in leadership.

Adebayo made the call during a condolence visit to the troubled community, where he met with grieving families and displaced residents. He described the incident as more than an isolated attack, calling it a stark reflection of systemic failures in Nigeria’s security architecture.

“This is not just about one community,” he said. “It is about the ability of government to protect its people when it matters most.”

The former presidential candidate stressed that repeated cycles of violence across parts of the country have exposed gaps in intelligence gathering, response coordination, and community engagement. He urged authorities to move beyond routine condemnations and adopt a proactive, intelligence-driven security framework that prioritises prevention over reaction.

According to him, effective security must be built on trust between law enforcement agencies and local communities, noting that residents are often the first line of information but remain disconnected from formal structures.

“Government must empower security agencies with the right tools, logistics, and intelligence while building strong partnerships with the people,” Adebayo said.

He also emphasised the need for empathy in governance, arguing that leadership must be visible and responsive in moments of crisis. He noted that beyond deploying security forces, government must show compassion by supporting victims, rebuilding affected communities, and restoring hope.

“People must see their government, feel its presence, and trust its protection,” he added.

Adebayo further called for swift justice, insisting that perpetrators of the attack must be tracked, arrested, and prosecuted without delay. He warned that failure to ensure accountability only emboldens criminal elements and perpetuates a cycle of violence.

“No Nigerian life should be taken without consequences,” he said. “Justice must be done, and it must be seen to be done.”

He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to treat the incident as a defining moment for reforming Nigeria’s security response, calling for stronger coordination among security agencies and a renewed commitment to protecting citizens across all regions.

Meanwhile, the District Head of Angwa Rukuba, Haruna Bala, highlighted the community’s vulnerability during the attack, revealing that there was little or no security presence as the assailants operated freely.

According to him, the incident exposed serious weaknesses in existing security arrangements and raised concerns about emergency response capacity.

“We had no immediate protection. They came, did what they wanted, and left without resistance,” Bala said.

He appealed to security authorities to urgently upgrade the local police facility, deploy adequate personnel, and provide modern equipment to enable faster and more effective response to threats.

Bala described Angwa Rukuba as a diverse and vibrant settlement—often referred to as a “mini-Nigeria”—where people from different ethnic backgrounds coexist and engage in trade. He warned that insecurity threatens not only lives but also livelihoods and the unity of the community.

He also commended traditional rulers for their role in maintaining calm during the crisis, while expressing hope that authorities would take concrete steps to prevent a recurrence.

As grief lingers in the community, the message from both leaders is clear: restoring peace in Plateau and across Nigeria will require more than promises. It will demand strong political will, coordinated security efforts, and leadership that is both firm and compassionate in the face of adversity.