Plateau tragedy: Adewole Adebayo calls for compassionate, intelligence-driven security reforms

Former Presidential Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has urged the Federal Government to embrace a more responsive, humane, and community-focused security approach.
Adebayo made this call while on a condolence visit to Angwa Rukuba in Plateau State.
He described the recent attack on the community as a tragic reflection of Nigeria’s ongoing security difficulties, noting that criminal elements had shattered the peace and stability of the area.

According to him, “Our brothers and sisters who are now fleeing are now sacrificial victims of those seeking to destroy peace,” while encouraging residents not to lose hope in the face of the tragedy.
He emphasized that divine justice remains unwavering, even when government institutions fall short.
“There is God. God is always responsible, even if the government is not responsible,” he said.
Adebayo further highlighted the importance of Plateau State to Nigeria’s unity, describing it as a divine gift that will continue to endure.
“Plateau is a gift of God to Nigeria, and that gift will endure forever,” he stated.
He reassured the people that no level of hardship would force them off their ancestral land.
“The people of this community are saddened and battered, but they will not leave this land. Their children and grandchildren will still be here for millions of years,” he added.
Calling for greater empathy from the government, Adebayo noted that times of crisis reveal true leadership.
“This is the best time for government to show empathy—to comfort families and prioritize the victims,” he said.
He also urged authorities to improve law enforcement by strengthening intelligence gathering, logistics, and collaboration with local communities to prevent future incidents.
“Government must strengthen our law enforcement and merge them with the community to form a composite security network,” he advised.
Adebayo maintained that those responsible for the attack must be identified and brought to justice.
“The criminals who came will not escape. We will fetch them and do justice,” he assured.
He cautioned against politicizing the killings, stressing that no act of violence against Nigerians should go unpunished.
“Killing Nigerians by anybody, whether near or far, cannot go unpunished,” he warned.
The SDP leader also called on Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take a more proactive and responsive role in coordinating national security, noting that Nigeria’s leadership must align with global standards of vigilance.
Additionally, he appealed to Plateau State authorities to strengthen collaboration with the Federal Government, describing the Middle Belt as a vital force holding the country together.
In response, the District Head of Angwa Rukuba, Haruna Bala, decried the lack of security presence during the attack, stating that the assailants operated without any resistance.
“They came, did what they wanted to do, and left without anybody stopping them,” he lamented.
Bala appealed to the Inspector General of Police to upgrade the community’s police outpost with sufficient personnel and equipment to ensure rapid response in emergencies.
He described Angwa Rukuba as a “mini-Nigeria” due to its diverse population, emphasizing the urgent need for improved security.
Bala also expressed gratitude to traditional rulers for their support and voiced hope that authorities would take decisive steps to prevent a recurrence.
Georgina Humphrey,