Bassa LGA, Plateau State – April 19, 2025
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, alongside the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, on Saturday visited Zike community in Kwall District of Bassa Local Government Area, Plateau State, following the recent deadly attacks that claimed over 50 lives.
The ministers, who were in the state on the directive of President Bola Tinubu, assured affected residents of the Federal Government’s commitment to ending the spate of killings and restoring lasting peace to the region.
“We are here on behalf of the Federal Government to share in your grief and to reaffirm that this senseless bloodshed must stop,” Badaru said during the visit. “We will leave no stone unturned to ensure the perpetrators of these heinous acts are identified, apprehended, and made to face justice.”
He added that security agencies have been fully mobilized to investigate the attacks and prevent future occurrences, noting that collaboration between federal and state structures was key to ending what he described as a cycle of madness.
“We are adopting new security strategies, and we will engage with community stakeholders to ensure this never happens again. The president is deeply concerned and has mandated us to act decisively,” he added.
Prof. Nentawe also conveyed President Tinubu’s personal concern over the attacks, reiterating the administration’s willingness to deploy all necessary forces to restore order.
“The President asked what more he can do for Plateau. He made it clear that peace must return to this land. He is ready to support kinetically and otherwise, but we must also talk to ourselves across ethnic and religious lines,” Nentawe said.
He urged traditional rulers, community leaders, and religious stakeholders to foster dialogue and reconciliation, emphasizing that violence affects everyone — from farmers unable to access their land to youths losing their future to fear and instability.
“This is not just a Plateau issue; it’s a national concern. From Berom to Hausa, Irigwe to Anaguta, Christian to Muslim — we must unite for peace and progress,” he stressed.
Also speaking during the visit, Ambassador Daniel Asama Ago, Member Representing Jos North-Bassa Federal Constituency, called for urgent and practical action beyond condolence visits. “The resilience of our people is remarkable, but what we need now is not just words. We need justice and decisive steps to end the bloodshed.”
Similarly, the Executive Chairman of Bassa LGA, Hon. Dr. Joshua Sunday Riti, emphasized the necessity of unity in defeating what he termed “enemies of peace.”
“Only a united front between the people, government, and security agencies can break this cycle of violence that has plagued our land for decades,” he said.
In a heartfelt appeal, Rev. Daniel Gya, President of the Irigwe Development Association (IDA), urged the people to remain strong and united. “We will not be silenced by fear. With God’s help and our collective strength, we will rise again,” he declared.
The visit comes amid growing calls for accountability and stronger security measures across Plateau State. Residents remain hopeful that government assurances will translate into lasting peace and justice for victims.
