The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Nentawe TV declared that the persistent killing of innocent citizens in Plateau State can no longer be met with routine outrage or temporary measures.
Yilwatda described the situation as both unacceptable and a national tragedy, stressing the urgent need for decisive and sustained action.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, the APC chairman commended President Bola Tinubu for his visit to Plateau State to commiserate with the government and people following the recent killings in Angwan Rukuba in Jos North Local Government Area.
He noted that the president’s visit reflected responsive leadership, empathy and national solidarity at a time of deep grief for the affected communities.
Speaking during the visit, Yilwatda condemned the attack, describing it as inhuman, cowardly, and reprehensible, as well as a direct assault on the peace and unity of Plateau State.
He stated: “The continued shedding of innocent blood in Plateau is not only unacceptable but a national tragedy that must no longer be treated with routine outrage and temporary responses.⁹
“The time has come for deliberate, coordinated and result-oriented efforts by all relevant authorities and stakeholders to ensure that such dastardly and unconscionable acts never happen again in Plateau State or anywhere else in the country.”
The APC chairman called on community leaders across the state to be more vigilant and proactive in identifying and reporting suspicious movements and threats.
He observed that the recurring nature of the attacks suggests that the perpetrators are not unknown forces but criminal elements operating within or around the communities, exploiting local weaknesses to carry out their acts.
Yilwatda warned that such individuals must no longer be protected by silence, fear or indifference, insisting that they should be identified, exposed, and brought to justice.
He also urged security agencies to urgently review and strengthen their strategies in addressing the violence, noting that outdated approaches would not be effective against increasingly sophisticated criminal networks. In
According to him, the adoption of modern surveillance systems and intelligence driven tools is critical. He advocated the use of artificial Intelligence powered cameras, drones, advanced tracking systems, and real-time intelligence gathering to detect and prevent attacks.
He stressed that security efforts must now combine manpower with technology, precision, and accountability to achieve meaningful results.
Yilwatda further lamented that Plateau State has continued to suffer cycles of violence, warning that the situation poses serious economic consequences for the state.
He pointed out that despite its rich natural endowments and tourism potential, persistent insecurity has hindered growth and development.
In his words: “No economy can thrive where fear reigns, no investment can flourish where blood is spilt, and no society can truly prosper where innocent citizens live under the shadow of insecurity.”
He cautioned that failure to protect lives and communities could undermine the future of the state, particularly for young people.
The APC chairman, therefore, called for a collective approach involving traditional rulers, religious leaders, political actors, youth and women groups, security agencies, and other stakeholders to restore peace and stability.
Other leaders who spoke during the visit also expressed concern over the worsening security situation, calling for urgent and sustained measures to end the violence and rebuild public confidence.
