Plateau Youths Issue 24-Hour Ultimatum to FG to Rescue Kidnap Victims as Terrorists Kill 12 in Cold Blood

Youths operating under the Berom Youth Moulder Association in Plateau State have issued a 24-hour ultimatum to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, demanding the immediate rescue of persons kidnapped during a recent attack that also left 12 innocent people dead in the state.

The youths, led by Barrister Solomon Dalyop, voiced their grievances in an emotionally charged address to security operatives, captured in a video currently circulating on social media. Dalyop spoke while reacting to the killing of 12 persons in Fan community, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.

In his remarks, Dalyop lamented what he described as another act of terrorism against his people, stating that 12 bodies were discovered following an overnight attack allegedly carried out by terrorist elements operating under the guise of Fulani militants. He insisted that the violence must stop, grazing on their land must end, and peace must be restored, stressing that the people would no longer tolerate the situation.

He further argued that if the incident had involved poisoned cattle, the community would already have faced harassment, questioning why the loss of human lives was being treated differently. According to him, the victims were neither bandits nor cattle rustlers, yet they were killed and the incident was being portrayed as a farmers–herders clash.

Dalyop called on security agencies to rise to their responsibilities, warning that failure to act would compel the people to defend their lives and land themselves. He said the community was deeply hurt and could no longer endure the recurring violence.

He demanded that all kidnapped persons be released with immediate effect, setting a deadline of 12 noon the following day. Dalyop warned that failure to meet this demand would force the youths to mobilize, adding that they were prepared to go anywhere to secure the release of the abducted victims.

Referencing previous attacks, he recalled the killing of innocent children in Boron on December 12, noting that the latest incident made it clear that the situation could no longer be ignored. He maintained that if the government could not guarantee their safety, the people would have no choice but to act, citing the constitutional right to self-defense.

Dalyop alleged that the attackers used sophisticated weapons, while locals were denied the right to bear similar arms. He described the situation in Plateau State as outright terrorism, claiming that herders moved freely with AK-47 rifles while residents were restricted.

He appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to visit Plateau State and also called on the international community to support Nigeria in combating terrorism. According to him, if the government was unable to address the problem, it should consider arming citizens to help flush out criminal elements infiltrating communities.

Dalyop warned that no individual or state in Nigeria was safe due to Fulani militancy and Boko Haram activities, urging Nigerians to rise up against insecurity.

He concluded by stating that if there was no positive response from the government, the youths would stage a mass protest across Plateau State, adding that peace could not be guaranteed without justice. He also reiterated calls for an end to grazing, alleging it had been abused as a tool for terrorism, and lamented the loss of farmlands, livelihoods, and lives in the ongoing crisis.