Plateau State in turmoil: 17 Civil Societies urge for urgent call for intervention to end wanton killings

Stanley Ihedigbo

Over 17 Civil Societies under the umbrella body, Action Groups on Free Civic Space (AGFCS) have strongly condemned the gruesome killings of Plateau State indigenes.

The call comes following the most gruesome attacks on lives and properties that have rocked the state in recent times.

The most recent attack occurred in the early hours of Monday, 14th April 2025, where gunmen attacked the Zikke and Kimapa villages in Bassa district, killing 51 persons.

According to a statement signed by the groups, the attack occurred barely one week after the previous attacks, which led to the death of 52 persons and the displacement of 1,820 others.

The AGFCS calls on the government to take immediate measures to stop these attacks.

Section 14 (2) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) states that the security of lives and property is the primary responsibility of the government.

The gruesome killings of these local indigenes not only run contrary to this purpose but constitute a brazen violation of their fundamental rights to life and ownership of immovable property.

Gunmen have become emboldened through the frequency of their attacks, amidst assurances from the state and federal governments, while innocent and powerless civilians bear the brunt of these vicious attacks.

This simply means that words are not enough. Immediate measures must be taken to address these attacks head-on.

The AGFCS – a coalition of civic society organizations, journalists and activists working collaboratively to safeguard Nigeria’s civic space – is deeply concerned that ongoing insecurity challenges will constrain or limit civic participation due to the fear of repeated attacks.

Such wanton killings by non-state actors must not be allowed to derogate the existing democratic social order.

Consequently, the AGFCS calls on the federal government to live up to its prerogative and decisively address this situation.

Thorough investigation and adequate measures should be rolled out to apprehend the masterminds and perpetrators of these violent crimes and ensure that repeated attacks do not occur, with adequate security being afforded to the district.

As we commend the swift erection of humanitarian camps to assist the victims, we also call for swift intervention to ensure that these victims are resettled soon.

The AGFCS stands in solidarity with the victims and all those affected by the violence in Plateau State. We join them in demanding immediate justice and saying no to more assurances, only actions.

The groups are; Vision Spring Initiatives;
Open Arms Initiative for Sustainable Development; Disability Not A Barrier Initiative (DINABI); Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative; World Impact Development Foundation (WIDEF) and
Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development FENRAD Nigeria.

Also, Centre for Community Empowerment in Conflict and Peacebuilding; Partnership for Social and Environmental Development Initiative – (P4SEDI); Accountability Lab Nigeria
Centre for Community Empowerment and Poverty Eradication (CCEPE);
TruORGANIC Initiative for Social & Communities Development
Dataphyte Foundation; Restorative Justice for Africa Initiative (REJA);
Elixir Trust Foundation; Virgin Heart Foundation; OGECHI & SAM IKEH FOUNDATION (OSAIF); Rainbow Watch and Development Centre and
Centre for Citizens with Disabilities
Spaces for Change|S4C.