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.
