President Bola Tinubu has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to embark on an urgent visit to Plateau State today, Monday, April 21, 2025, as part of the federal government’s response to the growing insecurity in the region.
This move comes in the wake of deadly attacks in the Bokkos and Bassa communities of Plateau State, which, along with similar incidents in Benue State, have claimed the lives of over 200 people in recent weeks, sparking nationwide outrage and calls for swift government intervention.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, confirmed the Vice President’s visit during his own assessment tour of the affected areas over the weekend. He disclosed that President Tinubu personally instructed Shettima to engage directly with local leaders, community stakeholders, and security agencies to seek lasting solutions to the crisis.
“The President is deeply concerned and wants immediate action taken. The Vice President is going to hear directly from the people and reinforce our commitment to peace and justice,” Yilwatda said.
Shettima is expected to meet with traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, and other stakeholders, as well as chair a strategic meeting with security operatives to improve coordination and strengthen peacebuilding efforts in the troubled areas.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, who visited the communities alongside top military officers, assured residents that the government will bring the perpetrators to justice and provide adequate support for victims, especially widows and displaced families.
In a separate reaction, retired Defence Minister Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma renewed his call for citizens to defend themselves, saying the government alone can no longer guarantee adequate protection. He described the continued killings as a failure of the state to fulfill its primary duty of securing lives and property.
The Plateau Youth Council has also condemned the violence, labeling the attacks as acts of genocide rather than mere communal clashes. The council accused Fulani militias of orchestrating the attacks and criticized the federal government’s response as slow and insufficient.
They demanded urgent reinforcement of local security outfits like Operation Rainbow to better protect vulnerable communities.
The Vice President’s visit is seen as a critical step in restoring confidence among affected communities and charting a more effective path toward lasting peace in the region.
