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.
Vice President Kashim Shettima on Friday visited the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, Plateau State, to assess the institution’s security situation, facilities and ongoing programmes following the recent deadly attack by gunmen.
Shettima, accompanied by Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang and other senior government officials, was received by the Director-General of NIPSS, Professor Ayo Omotayo, and members of the institute’s management team.
According to POLITICS NIGERIA, the visit comes days after suspected gunmen attacked the institute, killing three people and raising fresh concerns over security at Nigeria’s foremost policy and strategic studies institution.
Security agencies have since arrested several suspects in connection with the incident, while additional security measures have been deployed within and around the institute to forestall further attacks.
The Vice President’s visit forms part of the Federal Government’s response to the incident, aimed at assessing the situation firsthand, reassuring the institute’s management and staff, and strengthening security around the facility.
Investigations into the attack are ongoing as authorities intensify efforts to apprehend all those responsible and ensure they are brought to justice.
African Democratic Congress, ADC, chieftain, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has described Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court as an anti-democratic judicial officer on the Federal High Court bench.
He said the judge is a mole working for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to stifle opposition political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Eze, in a statement issued on Friday, said that Justice Lifu and his likes are being used by desperate politicians who see themselves as demi-gods to influence judicial decisions against anything that poses danger for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
He said, “It is not a matter of insinuation or broad daylight allegation or even blackmail. They don’t want any opposition. Mr President is jittery and paranoid over the forthcoming presidential election. For instance, can Justice Peter Lifu make an order or reprimand anything Wike? Certainly not. That’s how bad it is.
“The judge has made mockery of himself as a cheap tool in the hands of his paymasters for the destruction of the opposition. We understand the pressure on him but must he do a hatchet job for the APC to the detriment of the entire judiciary?”
Eze stated that Justice Lifu exhibited high level of overzealousness by blatantly disregarding the order of the Appeal Court directing him to stay proceedings on the suit seeking deregistration of some political parties.
He added, “Nigeria’s judiciary was kidnapped the day the APC government led by late Muhammadu Buhari attacked, arrested and prosecuted the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, and other Supreme Court justices for reasons we all knew about.
“Since then, some judicial officers like Justice Lifu, for fear of the unknown, have relegated their apolitical status to the trash bin, and embraced the satanic hugs of civilian despots and devious politicians clothed in democratic robes.
“Thank God we still have courageous, patriotic and bold Judicial officers who dispense justice based on pure law, and without fear or favour,” Eze stated.
The ADC chieftain lampooned the Federal High Court judge for going contrary to all known judicial precedents in a bid to accomplish the prayers and visions of those he described as “drowning political misfits”, who, according to him, are totally afraid of any opposition in the 2027 general elections due to bad governance.
Eze, formerly the National Publicity Secretary of defunct New Peoples Democratic Party, nPDP, commended the Appeal Court and INEC for condemning Justice Lifu’s “judicial rascality”.
“Though we know in all these shenanigans the target is to stop the ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, the incoming President from participating in the 2027 general elections but they will fall as Nigerians are ever determined to kick them out from Aso Rock all things being equal no matter the odds
“The fear of Atiku/Amaechi ticket is the beginning of wisdom for Tinubu.
“Thanks to the Appeal Court for staying the fraudulent and unpopular judgement. We hail INEC this time for challenging the shameful judgement that purportedly ordered deregistration of both ADC and four other parties,” he added.
Consequently, Eze called on the National Judicial Council, NJC, to probe and sanction Justice Lifu for making an order “that further disparaged the public perception of Nigeria’s judiciary and for subverting the rule of law”.
