Former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Prince Adewole Adebayo, on Monday urged the Federal Government to adopt a more responsive, compassionate and community-centred security policy following the recent killings in Plateau State.
Adebayo made the call during a condolence visit to Angwa Rukuba in Jos, where he commiserated with families affected by the attacks that have once again underscored the fragile security situation in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
His media aide, Ade Alabi, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja.
The visit comes amid renewed concerns over recurring violence in Plateau communities, where residents have repeatedly decried inadequate security presence and slow response to distress calls.
The SDP chieftain described the incident as a painful reminder of the country’s persistent security challenges, lamenting that criminal elements had once again shattered the peace of a once-thriving community.
“Our brothers and sisters who are fleeing are now sacrificial lambs for those who want to take away peace,” he decried.
“There is God. God is always responsible, even if the government is not responsible. Plateau is a gift of God to Nigeria, and that gift will endure forever.
“The people of this community are saddened and battered, but they will not leave this land. Their children, their grandchildren, their entire generations to come will still be here for millions of years.”
Adebayo, however, urged residents not to lose hope, stressing that justice would ultimately prevail even when government response appears insufficient.
He emphasised that moments of crisis present the clearest test of governance, calling for a coordinated approach that combines intelligence, logistics, and community participation.
“When such a lightning happens, it is the best time for government to show empathy and responsibility to come to the community, comfort the families, and prioritise the victims.
“Government must strengthen our law enforcement, give them the resources they need, and merge them with the community to form a composite security network,” he added.
The former presidential candidate also insisted that those responsible for the attacks must be apprehended and brought to justice, warning that impunity would only embolden further violence.
“The criminals who came to commit this offence will not escape. We will fetch them, and we will do justice. Families will be compensated, and the community will be protected.
“We cannot say there is politics somewhere that can excuse the killing of anyone. Killing Nigerians by anybody, whether near or far, cannot go unpunished,” he assured.
He further urged President Bola Tinubu to seize the moment as a turning point in strengthening national security coordination and restoring public confidence.
“This is an opportunity for President Bola Tinubu to be more responsive and compassionate so that people can feel that if you kill any Nigerian anywhere, the government will find you,” he said.
Reflecting on his personal ties to the state, Adebayo also called on Plateau authorities to deepen collaboration with the Federal Government, particularly in securing the Middle Belt, which he described as “the glue holding Nigeria together.”
Earlier, the District Head of Angwa Rukuba, Haruna Bala, lamented the absence of security personnel during the attack, saying the assailants operated without resistance.
“One would think some of these attacks were not work-based. There were no police around for any emergency. What happened was that they came, did what they wanted to do, and left without anybody stopping them, which is very sad,” he said.
Bala appealed to security authorities, including the Inspector General of Police, to urgently upgrade the community’s police outpost and deploy adequate personnel and equipment.
“We are calling on the authorities, and since the IG was here, we requested the upgrade of our police station or outpost. We need adequate manpower, proper equipment, and everything that a standard police station should have.
“If the police station is upgraded and properly manned, it will help the police to respond quickly to any situation and prevent these things from happening again,” he added.
He described Angwa Rukuba, also known as Mungaro, as a microcosm of Nigeria’s diversity, hosting people from various ethnic groups who live and trade peacefully.
“This area is a mini-Nigeria because everyone lives here. We have Yoruba, Igbo, Angas, Mwaghavul, Atyap, Anaguta, Gerom and even Uvu. People have come here to live, trade and prosper,” he explained.
According to him, the commercial and multicultural nature of the community makes enhanced security even more critical.
