CHIEF KEFAS CONDEMNS KILLINGS ON THE PLATEAU, CALLS FOR MOBILISATION OF LOCAL VIGILANTEES TO TACKLE INSECURITY

I am deeply grieved and outraged by the barbaric killing of hundreds of innocent people in Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas of Plateau State over the last two weeks. This recurring violence against peaceful communities is not only heartbreaking, but it also underscores a tragic failure in our collective responsibility to protect human life and dignity.

I cannot, in good conscience, remain silent while our people are butchered in their sleep. The time for mere condemnation has passed. We must now rise with purpose and determination to defend our communities against these heinous acts.

Let me remind us all of the words of our Lord Jesus Christ in

Luke 22:36: “Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.”

Even Christ acknowledged the need for self-defence in times of danger. We are a peace-loving people, but peace does not mean surrendering our lives to bloodthirsty criminals without resistance.

I am calling on the Plateau State Government to act boldly and urgently. Just as the governments of Katsina, Zamfara, and Sokoto States have done, I urge our leaders to empower local vigilante groups with the necessary tools to defend our communities. Let them be equipped with licensed firearms, communication devices, and logistical support to monitor and report suspicious movements to the security agencies in real time.

Our vigilante groups are not outsiders – they are sons and daughters of the soil who know every footpath, every forest, and every stranger. Their knowledge and presence are invaluable in the fight against terrorism, banditry, and targeted killings.

We cannot continue to bury our brothers and sisters while hoping for salvation from afar. Security is a shared responsibility. The people must be empowered to protect themselves while working hand-in-hand with conventional forces.

I call on our traditional rulers, community leaders, and youth organisations to rally together. We must not only mourn the dead – we must defend the living. The time to act is now.

A True Plateau Central Champion

Chief Kefas Wungak Ropshik
CEO, KEFIANO AUTOS