By David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has called for decisive and coordinated action to end the recurring cycle of violence in Plateau State, declaring that the state “must never be allowed to bleed like this again.”
Yilwatda made the call during the visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Plateau State, where he commiserated with victims and families affected by the recent killings in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area.
The APC chairman described the President’s visit as a strong demonstration of responsive leadership, empathy, and national solidarity at a time when residents of the state are grappling with grief over what he termed a “horrific and senseless” attack on innocent citizens.
Tinubu was received by the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, alongside political leaders, traditional rulers, religious figures, and other stakeholders from across the state, reflecting the gravity of the situation and the urgency of collective action.
Condemning the killings in unequivocal terms, Yilwatda described the attack as barbaric, cowardly, and a direct assault on the peace and unity of Plateau State, warning that the persistent loss of innocent lives now constitutes a national emergency that must no longer be met with routine condemnation or temporary responses.
He stressed that the time had come for deliberate, result-oriented measures to halt the violence, urging community leaders across the state to heighten vigilance and take proactive responsibility in identifying and reporting suspicious movements within their domains.
According to him, the pattern of attacks suggests that perpetrators are not faceless outsiders but often operate within or around affected communities, exploiting local vulnerabilities to carry out their actions.
He warned that such individuals must no longer be shielded by silence, fear, or complicity.
“These criminals must be identified, exposed, apprehended, and brought to justice,” he said, insisting that accountability remains central to restoring lasting peace.
The APC chairman also directed his remarks at security agencies, urging an urgent overhaul of existing strategies and operational methods to address what he described as increasingly sophisticated and adaptive criminal networks.
He advocated the deployment of modern, intelligence-driven security infrastructure, including artificial intelligence-powered surveillance systems, drones, advanced tracking mechanisms, and real-time intelligence gathering tools, noting that traditional methods alone can no longer guarantee safety.
“Protecting lives and property today requires more than manpower; it demands technology, precision, intelligence, and accountability,” Yilwatda said.
He further highlighted the economic toll of the persistent insecurity in Plateau State, lamenting that the state’s vast tourism potential, agricultural capacity, and natural endowments have continued to suffer setbacks due to recurring violence.
“No economy can thrive where fear dominates, and no investment can flourish where lives are constantly under threat,” he stated, warning that continued instability could undermine the socio-economic future of the state, particularly for its youth.
Yilwatda therefore called for a whole-of-society approach to addressing the crisis, urging traditional institutions, religious leaders, political actors, youth groups, women’s organisations, and security agencies to work collaboratively in restoring peace and stability.
As part of the visit, President Tinubu, accompanied by Yilwatda, Governor Mutfwang, and other key figures, met with families affected by the Angwan Rukuba attack, offering condolences and assurances of the Federal Government’s commitment to justice and security.
The APC, in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to its National Chairman on Media and Communications Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, noted that the President’s visit goes beyond symbolism, describing it as a clear indication of the Federal Government’s resolve to confront the menace of violent attacks with renewed urgency.
The party expressed optimism that ongoing and future engagements with stakeholders in Plateau State would lead to practical and sustainable solutions capable of ensuring long-term peace, justice, and reconciliation.
Reaffirming the sanctity of human life, the APC insisted that those responsible for the killings must be hunted down and brought to justice without delay, stressing that the continued bloodshed in Plateau State is unacceptable.
