What is good for Rivers State is also good for Plateau, Benue and other terror-prone states, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has said, justifying its call for a state of emergency in reaction to recent frightening attacks by terror groups on defenseless communities in Plateau that has resulted in the tragic deaths of dozens of people and displaced hundreds.
   
The foremost Northern think tank, ACF, while expressing sadness over the killings, called on the Federal Government to be constitutionally responsible for the protection of the lives and property of citizens. It said this will ensure that such renewed attacks and killings on the Plateau and other communities in the Northern region and other parts of the country are stopped immediately.
 
In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Tukur Muhammad-Baba, it asked the Federal Government to declare a state of security emergency on vulnerable and banditry-prone communities and to initiate effective early-warning and early-response strategies that incorporate the participation of community members.
   
“ACF reiterates its long-standing stance that every new such experience is one too many. Clearly, the people are in great pain, with their situation compounded by existential economic challenges. The killing spree on the Plateau must be stopped immediately, and peace must return to the state,” it said.
   
Also irked by the killings in Plateau, the youth arm of the forum, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), condemned the killings of innocent residents of the Bokkos Local Government Area. In a statement by the President General of AYCF, Yerima Shettima, on Sunday, it said: “This tragic incident is not only a profound violation of human rights but also a stark reminder of the escalating insecurity in various parts of our nation.
   
“The perpetrators of these heinous acts must be brought to justice, and it is imperative that government takes immediate and decisive action to prevent further bloodshed. In the wake of this tragedy, we call for adequate compensation to be provided to the victims’ families. The loss of life, property, and livelihood cannot be compensated fully, but financial support is essential for the survivors to rebuild their lives.”
   
Shettima added: “We further demand that the government establish a fund dedicated to supporting the victims, including medical aid, psychological support, and financial compensation for the families who have lost loved ones.”
 
Already, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency, has begun a rapid assessment of communities affected by recent attacks in Bokkos. In a statement shared on its X account yesterday, NEMA revealed that the attacks affected several villages, including Ruwi, Hurti, Tadai, Gwande, Manguna, and Dafo.
   
The gunmen’s brutal assaults resulted in multiple fatalities and widespread destruction of property. At least, 52 people were confirmed killed between March 27 and April 2, 2025. NEMA noted that the assessment teams are currently on the ground in the impacted areas to evaluate the extent of the damage and identify the immediate needs of affected populations.
   
Noting that arrangements are being finalised for the delivery of relief materials approved by the Federal Government, in line with the directive of President Bola Tinubu, to provide swift humanitarian assistance to the victims, the agency said over 1,820 individuals have been displaced as a result of the attack.
   
The statement added: “Three displacement camps have been established in Daffo, Hurti, and Gwande, while others are currently being hosted by local communities.”

HOWEVER, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, has said the Federal Government is addressing the recent security breach in some communities in Bokkos, with a bold declaration: “Enough is enough.” He made this known at the Headquarters of Operation Safe Haven (OPHS), Jos, during an operational visit to the state.
   
The NSA also stated that despite the resurgence in killings across the country, President Tinubu has drastically reduced violent conflicts and insecurity bedeviling the nation by 90 per cent in the last 10 months.
   
In a statement by the Media Information Officer of OPSH, Major Samson Zhakom, the NSA disclosed that he was in Plateau following the directive of the President to restore normalcy to communities recently attacked by militias in the state. He commended security agencies for their timely response in curtailing the situation. The NSA charged Plateau residents to prioritise peace and learn to live together as one.
   
Ribadu warned against politicisation of national security, saying enough is enough as the reoccurrence of violence conflicts and attacks on the Plateau lingers for over 20 years now.
 
Ribadu further revealed that even though Nigeria is going through tough, difficult times, it’s not going to be forever. “The issue of security is for all of us. We all have to come together. Everyone has a role to play. But I think that for communities—those who have been living together for years and decades—it’s time for us to say enough is enough. Our security forces are doing well. But our communities can do even better.
   
“We also appeal to the media to verify and report accurate, appropriate information. Telling the truth helps us get through this together. Anything that disturbs the peace and security of people—nothing else will work. Government won’t have the chance or opportunity to function if people do not live in peace”, he added.
   
Similarly, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has vowed to ensure that those responsible for the recent killings in Bokkos are brought to justice. Speaking during an interactive session with Plateau indigenes residing in Abuja, the governor declared that the era of arrested suspects walking free is over, stressing that the state government would prosecute anyone found culpable in the attacks.
   
“The pain of the people is my pain,” Governor Mutfwang stated. “As your governor, I make this solemn promise: anyone involved in spilling the blood of a Plateau citizen will be pursued and brought to justice. None of them will go scot-free.”
   
He disclosed that some suspects have already been apprehended and affirmed that new security strategies are being introduced to protect farmers as the planting season approaches.
 
“I want to assure you that the lives lost in Bokkos will not be in vain. These attacks are clearly orchestrated, deliberate attempts to impoverish and intimidate our people at the start of every farming season. Let it be known that we will farm this year. No amount of intimidation will stop us,” Mutfwang declared.
   
While acknowledging the grief and mourning across the state, he said the decision to go ahead with the meeting followed consultations with leaders at home and in the diaspora, asserting that the people of Plateau remain resilient.
   
In another development, the Agatu Youth Development Initiative (AYDI) has condemned the recent killing of a herder and rustling of cows in some communities by those it described as ‘perpetrators of violent crimes’ and enemies of the Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State. Specifically, the transparency group regretted that in the last few months, over 210 cows have been killed and taken away by criminal elements.
   
It insisted that the perpetrators are not indigenes of Agatu, but people that are envious of the peace that has been reigning across the land since October, 2024. In a statement on Sunday by its National President, Ngbede Edoh; and Woman Leader, Rose Onuminya, the group expressed concern that the development could erode the gains made by the existing peace building process spearheaded by the executive chairman of Agatu Council Area, Melvin Ejeh.
   
The group recalled that shortly after his election and subsequent swearing-in in October 2024, Ejeh, who doubles as the Deputy Chairman of the Benue State Chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), initiated a peace process that endured until recent events. The peace process, the youth organisation recalled, was a culmination of several town hall meetings in collaboration with all stakeholders, which held within and across the boundaries of Benue State (Nasarawa, Kogi and Plateau States). 
   
“We are constrained to issue this press statement in light of recent events in the Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, whose people are known to be peace-lovers, peace-makers, as well as peace-builders. 
   
“We are deeply concerned about verified reports of fresh killings of an innocent boy, and over 210 cows by enemies of Agatu, who seek to reverse the gains our people have been enjoying from the peace strategy with Fulani leaders, which ensured that herders and settlers will respect the laws, tradition, and custom of their host communities. As a gesture of reciprocity, our people undertook to be good hosts, hospitable, and accommodating, in demonstration of their time-honoured nature.”
   
Nonetheless, the group thanked the Commander, and troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, the Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and other relevant security agencies, whose efforts have continued to ensure relative peace in Agatu in particular, and Benue State in general.