President Bola Tinubu has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to visit Plateau State today, Monday.
This visit is part of the government’s efforts to address the escalating violence in Plateau and Benue States, which has claimed the lives of over 200 people in recent weeks.
This visit follows deadly attacks on Bokkos and Bassa communities, which have sparked public outrage and calls for swift government action.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, confirmed the visit while on a tour of the affected areas in Bassa on Saturday.
He explained that the President personally instructed Shettima to engage directly with local leaders and communities in order to find lasting solutions to the unrest.
During his visit, Vice President Shettima is expected to hold discussions with stakeholders, including security agencies, to improve coordination and strengthen peacebuilding efforts in the region.
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, who visited the communities with military leaders, reassured the residents that the government is committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice and providing support for the victims, especially widows.
Additionally, former Defence Minister, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd.), has once again urged Nigerians to defend themselves, saying relying solely on government forces is no longer enough to protect citizens from attacks.
Danjuma expressed sorrow over the ongoing killings in both Benue and Plateau, describing them as evidence of the government’s failure to ensure security.
The Plateau Youth Council has condemned the attacks, labeling them as genocidal acts rather than simple communal clashes.
The Council accused Fulani militias of orchestrating the violence and criticized the federal government for its insufficient response.
They called for urgent action, including reinforcements to the local security outfit, Operation Rainbow, to better protect vulnerable communities.
