Defence Minister Visits Plateau Attack Sites, Vows Decisive Action to End Killings
In a bold and strategic move aimed at addressing the escalating violence in Plateau State, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has visited key locations affected by recent deadly attacks. The visit underscores the federal government’s renewed commitment to restoring peace and security in the crisis-ridden region.
The Defence Minister, accompanied by high-ranking military officers, toured several communities in Bokkos and Mangu Local Government Areas—regions that have become hotbeds of violence in recent months. These areas have witnessed repeated attacks by armed groups, resulting in the loss of hundreds of lives, destruction of property, and displacement of thousands of residents.
Speaking during the assessment tour, Minister Badaru expressed deep sorrow over the killings and destruction of livelihoods. He assured residents that the federal government will no longer tolerate the continued bloodshed, promising that decisive military operations will be intensified to end the cycle of violence once and for all.
“We are here on the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is deeply concerned about the persistent attacks on innocent Nigerians in Plateau State,” Badaru said. “These killings must stop. The government will deploy all necessary resources, including intelligence and ground troops, to ensure lasting peace returns to these communities.”
The Defence Minister’s visit comes in the wake of increasing pressure on the federal government to act decisively against the surge in communal and criminal violence in Plateau State, often attributed to clashes between farmers and herders, as well as suspected bandit and militia activities. Local leaders have repeatedly called for military intervention and sustainable peacebuilding initiatives to address the root causes of the conflict.
During the tour, the minister held closed-door meetings with security operatives, community leaders, and local government officials to evaluate the on-ground situation and assess current response strategies. He emphasized the need for improved collaboration between the military and civilian populations to enhance intelligence gathering and early warning systems.
Residents welcomed the Defence Minister’s visit, expressing hope that the government’s commitment would translate into visible actions and long-term solutions. Many displaced families continue to live in temporary shelters, fearful of returning to their ancestral homes due to ongoing threats of renewed attacks.
In response, Badaru pledged immediate deployment of additional security forces and improved surveillance technology in the affected areas. He also reaffirmed the government’s resolve to bring perpetrators of violence to justice, stressing that the era of impunity must end.
Security analysts have described the Defence Minister’s visit as a step in the right direction but warned that consistent follow-up and implementation of security reforms are critical to achieving lasting peace in Plateau and other conflict-prone regions in Nigeria.
As the nation awaits visible results from the Defence Ministry’s interventions, the eyes of the nation remain fixed on Plateau State—where the hope for peace hangs in the balance amid a history of deep-rooted communal tensions and insecurity.
Source : Swifteradio.com
