Chairman, Northern Christians Association, Rev. Joseph John Hayab,
Northern Christian Association (NCA) has condemned the fresh attacks in Plateau State that reportedly left at least nine people dead, warning Nigerians against becoming accustomed to the killing of innocent citizens.
The association said the latest incidents, which occurred in parts of Barkin Ladi, Riyom and neighbouring communities, underscored the need for security agencies to adopt more proactive measures to prevent attacks rather than relying mainly on responses after lives and property had already been lost.
In a statement issued to journalists in Kaduna on Tuesday, the NCA Chairman, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, said the recurring violence in Plateau State was a matter of serious concern and should not be allowed to become part of the country’s normal security experience.
The latest attacks reportedly occurred between Saturday night and Sunday morning. Five passengers travelling towards Gana-Ropp in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area were reportedly killed when their vehicle came under attack, while two other persons, including a pastor, were killed while on their way to church at Dorowa Babuje. Separate killings were also reported at Baten Wereng in Riyom and Ratyidi in Fan District.
Reacting to the development, Hayab said the loss of lives should concern every Nigerian irrespective of ethnic, religious or political affiliation, stressing that the sanctity of human life must remain a shared national value.
“Is that how lives have become so cheap that they can now be taken at will? Nigerians must not get used to killings. Every life matters,” he said.
The NCA chairman said the frequency of violent attacks must not diminish the compassion of Nigerians or make the death of innocent citizens appear as routine incidents, noting that every victim leaves behind families and communities that continue to bear the consequences.
Hayab commended the Federal and Plateau State governments, as well as security personnel working to protect citizens, but urged the authorities to review the security situation in vulnerable communities and strengthen intelligence gathering and early-warning mechanisms.
According to him, increased deployment of security personnel could provide temporary reassurance, but the priority should be to develop a security system capable of identifying threats early, responding rapidly to credible intelligence and preventing attackers from reaching vulnerable communities.
The NCA also called for stronger cooperation between security agencies and residents, saying communities should be regarded as partners in preventing insecurity.
It said residents were often the first to notice suspicious movements and activities and should have reliable channels through which such information could be transmitted to security authorities.
The association further urged security agencies to conduct thorough investigations into the attacks, identify the perpetrators and ensure that those found responsible are arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
It condoled with the families of the victims, affected communities and the Plateau State Government, while calling for appropriate support for residents whose livelihoods and daily activities have been disrupted by the violence.
The NCA said the recurring attacks should remind authorities that effective security should not be measured only by the response after an incident, but also by the ability of institutions to anticipate threats, prevent attacks and protect vulnerable communities.
It therefore urged the government, security agencies, traditional institutions, religious leaders and community stakeholders to strengthen cooperation towards restoring confidence and ensuring that the continued loss of innocent lives does not become another statistic in Nigeria’s security narrative
