Category: News

Senator Diket Satso Plang, representing Plateau Central, has called for renewed faith in God and collective responsibility in addressing insecurity, as he expressed deep concern over recent killings across the state.

Speaking during a media chat with journalists at his Rayfield residence, the lawmaker linked the Easter season with a message of sacrifice, hope, and spiritual renewal. He noted that the coincidence of Ramadan and Easter fasting this year reflects a period of intense prayers, urging Nigerians to remain steadfast in faith despite prevailing challenges.

“Our faith in God should increase at challenging periods,” Plang said, praying for forgiveness, grace, and a more hopeful future for Plateau and Nigeria at large.

The senator described the recent loss of military personnel and civilians, including a young army captain in Kanam, as “pathetic and painful,” commending the armed forces for their sacrifices. He also condemned the attack in Angwan Rukuba, describing it as “strange, unfortunate, and deeply troubling,” especially as it occurred in a social gathering spot.

Plang warned that rising insecurity, particularly in rural communities, has instilled fear among citizens, affecting livelihoods and economic activities. “When people live in fear, they cannot farm, sleep, or function productively,” he said, stressing the need for swift justice to deter criminality.

He, however, praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for visiting Plateau in response to the crisis, describing the move as unprecedented and empathetic. He also commended the state governor for his swift on-the-ground response, noting that such actions provide comfort to grieving families.

The senator highlighted planned security improvements, including the installation of surveillance cameras and solar-powered streetlights in vulnerable communities, expressing optimism that these measures would help curb crime and restore public confidence.

On the broader issue of violence, Plang suggested that underlying tensions may extend beyond partisan politics to include communal, cultural, and religious interests, urging a holistic understanding of the crisis.

Reaffirming his commitment to his constituents, the lawmaker pledged continued representation and development efforts, pointing to proposed projects in the 2026 budget aimed at boosting the local economy through empowerment initiatives.

He concluded by urging unity, love, and shared responsibility among citizens and government in tackling insecurity, while offering prayers for peace, protection, and progress across Plateau State and Nigeria.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has postponed his planned trip to Ogun State and will instead visit Jos to sympathize with victims of the recent killings in Plateau State.

He is expected to resume visits to Lagos, Ogun, and Bayelsa States later for project commissioning and Easter engagements.

President has postponed his scheduled trip to Iperu in and will instead travel to Jos in to sympathize with victims of recent deadly attacks.

The decision was disclosed in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, , who said the visit is aimed at commiserating with the state government and residents following the killing of innocent citizens in a series of gun attacks.

Tinubu had initially planned to visit Ogun State to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport but altered his itinerary in response to the worsening security situation in Plateau.

Following his visit to Jos, the President is expected to proceed to to observe the .

He is, however, scheduled to return to Ogun State on April 4 for the commissioning of the cargo airport, alongside the inauguration of two commercial aircraft aimed at boosting import and export activities. The President will also commission the new Federal Operations Unit facility of the Nigerian Customs Service, including operational vehicles.

During the Easter period, Tinubu is expected to inaugurate several infrastructure projects in Lagos State executed by Governor . These include the Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge, the Lagos State Geographic Information System building, a multi-agency complex, and a new school project.

Additionally, the President will travel to on April 10 to commission projects completed by Governor before returning to Abuja.

A youth advocacy group, the G-17, has called for immediate security reforms and the establishment of state police in response to rising violence across .

In a statement issued on April 1, 2026, and signed by its leader, , the group expressed deep concern over what it described as a “relentless wave of violence” affecting communities in the state and across the country.

The Forum said residents have continued to live in fear due to recurring attacks on homes, farms, and places of worship, accusing authorities of offering “routine condemnations” without decisive action.

According to the group, the pattern of violence has become predictable, often involving coordinated assaults on vulnerable communities, particularly during religious or festive periods. It also highlighted delayed responses from centralized security agencies and the frequent targeting of areas with little or no security presence.

The group argued that Nigeria’s centralized policing system is no longer effective in addressing localized security challenges, noting that decisions made far from affected communities leave residents exposed.

Describing the current structure as inadequate, the Forum called for urgent constitutional and policy reforms to establish state police, insisting that the move is critical for improving response time, strengthening intelligence gathering, and fostering trust between security personnel and local communities.

“The time for State Police is now. The time for action is now,” the statement emphasized.

The group G-17 urged the Federal Government to fast-track constitutional amendments to enable the creation of state police, while also calling on the Plateau State Government to take proactive steps, including developing frameworks for implementation and strengthening existing local security initiatives such as Operation Rainbow.

It also encouraged residents to remain vigilant and continue to demand their right to safety, stressing that silence and delayed action are no longer acceptable in the face of ongoing violence.