Jos, Plateau State – Residents of Jos, the capital of Plateau State, staged a peaceful protest on Monday against the rising wave of killings and kidnappings plaguing the region. The demonstration followed a series of deadly attacks that claimed over 100 lives in Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas in the past two weeks.
The protest, led by Christian leaders including Polycarp Lubo, chairman of the Plateau chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), began at the Fwavwei Junction community road and caused significant traffic gridlock, leaving many commuters stranded.
Protesters carried placards with messages such as: “That they do not die in vain,” “We walk for peace,” “Stop the killings,” “Stop the bloodshed,” “Every life matters,” and “Let Plateau live.”
The march drew attention to the recurring violence in Plateau State, which many residents and religious leaders describe as targeted and systematic. A faction of CAN in the 19 northern states also condemned the violence, demanding justice for victims and an immediate end to what it termed “senseless killings.”
Yakubu Pam, chairman of the CAN northern faction, called for unity among traditional rulers, religious figures, security forces, and community organisations to collectively confront the cycle of violence that has plagued the state for decades.
In response to the escalating crisis, President Bola Tinubu on April 14 tasked Governor Caleb Mutfwang with addressing the deep-rooted communal issues linked to the killings.
Governor Mutfwang has since announced a series of security measures, including a ban on night grazing and restrictions on motorcycle use. He also prohibited the transport of cattle in vehicles after 7pm, describing the killings as “coordinated acts of terror” aimed at displacing communities and denying them their ancestral homes.
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, during a recent visit to the state, assured residents that those behind the attacks would soon face the full force of the law. He noted that the ongoing violence has severely impacted agricultural activity and livelihoods in the region.
As the state grapples with insecurity, residents continue to call for lasting peace and justice, urging authorities to act swiftly and decisively to protect lives and restore stability.
