Nigeria continues to grapple with security challenges, despite the recent appointment of a new president, which raises doubts about whether our security woes will ever come to an end. Plateau state has tragically transformed into a region plagued by violence, with numerous individuals losing their lives in various communities.
In a recent attack carried out by gunmen in Plateau state, at least eight people were tragically killed. The incident occurred on Friday night in the Rawuru community, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the state. Solomon Dalyop, a youth leader in the community, verified the killings and raised concerns about the effectiveness of the military taskforce stationed in their village, as they seemingly failed to repel the attacks.
Dalyop expressed his bewilderment, stating, “We have confirmed that eight persons were killed during last night’s attack in Rawuru community, Barkin LGA. What we find difficult to comprehend is that prior to the attack, some soldiers had visited the village in the afternoon. We also spotted them during the night. Despite their presence, the assailants managed to carry out the attack successfully, resulting in the loss of innocent lives. How is it possible for the attackers to evade apprehension by the soldiers and other security agents who are stationed within the community?”
Jerry Datim, another community leader and president of the Global Society for Middle Belt Heritage, condemned the recurring attacks and called for an investigation into the conduct of the Military Taskforce deployed to maintain peace in Plateau communities. He emphasized that within the past month alone, a total of 276 individuals had lost their lives in various communities, and over 30,000 people have been displaced as a result of the relentless attacks.
Once again, we find ourselves grappling with the question of whether our security personnel are adequately trained to effectively combat the threats of insecurity.
