On Palm Sunday, April 13, 2025, as Christians around the world reflected on the moment Christ peacefully rode into Jerusalem, Plateau State was met not with peace, but with horror. That night, armed militants invaded communities, more than 50 people were killed in cold blood....READ ORIGINAL & FULL CONTENT FROM SOURCE | READ ORIGINAL & FULL CONTENT FROM SOURCE...
Just two days later, on Tuesday, April 15, the bloodshed continued. Suspected herders attacked Otobi in Otukpo LGA, Benue State, killing at least 11 more and displacing hundreds. It marked the third assault on the community in April alone.
These atrocities are not isolated. They are part of a disturbing pattern of violence in both states.
From the mass killings in Barkin Ladi and Kanam (Plateau) to recurring attacks in Gwer and Otukpo (Benue), entire communities are being wiped out. Yet, what follows is a familiar script: horror, press statements condemning actions, and then silence.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau and Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue have both condemned the attacks. Even President Bola Tinubu has expressed sorrow. Security deployments have been announced. But we ask: will this change anything?
For years, Nigerians have watched this cycle repeat — deadly attacks, empty condemnations statements, and little to no justice. No serious prosecutions. No long-term security strategy. Communities remain vulnerable, while the perpetrators roam free.
RID Nigeria firmly states: Enough is enough.
We call on the federal and state governments to go beyond words and take the following urgent actions:
Launch immediate and transparent investigations into all recent attacks.
Deploy adequate, sustained security personnel to vulnerable areas.
Prosecute the masterminds and perpetrators of these killings.
Support displaced families with relief, rehabilitation, and protection.
Facilitate honest dialogue and reconciliation among affected communities.
The Nigerian government must treat this not as a recurring tragedy, but as a national emergency. Every Nigerian life matters — from the villages of Plateau to the farmlands of Benue.
Condemnation is not a solution. It is time for real action, real justice, and real protection. If we fail to act now, we risk normalizing mass murder as just another headline.
The question remains: Will this be the last massacre, or just another one in a growing list followed by press statements?
Alex Adekunle James is the Executive Director, RID Nigeria