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PLATEAU, Nigeria - The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has appealed to the Federal Government to proclaim a state of security emergency in states affected by terrorism and to put an end to the killings occurring in Plateau State.
Additionally, ACF emphasized that it is crucial for the Federal Government to restore normalcy in states terrorized by bandits by declaring a state of security emergency in those regions to bring peace back.
The Arewa leaders expressed their profound sorrow over the distressing and alarming assaults by terror gangs on defenseless communities in Plateau State on March 28, 2025, which tragically claimed numerous lives, including children.
The Northern group stressed that the death toll, injuries, and damage to property resulting from the relentless terror activities of bandits in communities over recent years should not be overlooked.
In a statement released by the National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba on Sunday, it was conveyed that the “ACF mourns the deceased and unequivocally denounces the attacks.
The Forum extends its condolences to the affected communities and the government and citizens of Plateau State,” he noted, further stating that “the Forum empathizes with the grieving families of the victims, praying for the deceased's eternal rest, for the injured to gain strength to cope with their losses, and for a swift recovery for all who suffered injuries.
“To the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), which is constitutionally charged with safeguarding the lives and properties of citizens, ACF wishes to highlight, yet again, the worsening security situation in Arewa communities and other parts of Nigeria.
“ACF reaffirms its long-held position that every new incident of this nature is one too many. Evidently, the populace is enduring significant suffering, worsened by dire economic circumstances. The spate of killings in Plateau must cease immediately to restore peace to the region.
“ACF urges the FGN to declare a state of security emergency in communities vulnerable to banditry and to implement effective early-warning and response strategies that engage community members.
Muhammad-Baba stated that the government should “escalate efforts in gathering, processing, and utilizing actionable intelligence by all relevant security agencies to determine the immediate and underlying causes of the recent conflicts.”
He also suggested that the government ought to “investigate, identify, apprehend, and prosecute those responsible for the attacks, as well as provide compensation to the families of the deceased and aid to the injured.
“The FGN and the Plateau State Government should empower community leaders, elders, clergy, traditional authorities, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to engage in community dialogues for conflict resolution, reconciliation, and collaboration.
“Everyone must amplify conflict resolution initiatives; citizens should provide security agencies with reliable information regarding the activities of insurgents and criminals, and members of the National Assembly should work towards holding the FGN and National Security Agencies accountable and demand tangible evidence of a determined effort to eliminate the current terror affecting citizens.
“While expressing unwavering support for the FGN, the Plateau State Government, and all National Security Agencies in combating insecurity in Nigeria, ACF urges everyone to ramp up efforts in addressing threats to the welfare of all Nigerian citizens.”
