The Northern Christian Association has urged Nigerians not to become desensitised to killings following the latest attacks in Plateau State, which reportedly left at least nine people dead across several communities.
The association said the renewed violence, which claimed the lives of a pastor and other residents, showed the need for the government and security agencies to strengthen preventive measures rather than relying mainly on responses after attacks have occurred.
The NCA Chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab, stated this in a statement issued to journalists in Kaduna on Tuesday, expressing concern over the continued violence and its effects on families, communities and livelihoods.
According to Hayab, the latest attacks occurred between Saturday night and Sunday morning in parts of Barkin Ladi, Riyom and neighbouring communities.
He said five people travelling towards Gana-Ropp in Barkin Ladi were reportedly killed after their vehicle came under attack, while a pastor and another person were killed while travelling to church at Dorowa Babuje.
Hayab added that attacks were also reported separately at Baten Wereng and Ratyidi.
“Is that how lives have become so cheap that they can now be taken at will?
“Nigerians must not get used to killings. Every life matters. We cannot continue to wake up to reports of innocent people being killed and gradually accept such incidents as part of our normal existence,” he said.
The NCA chairman said the recurrence of attacks should not make Nigerians lose compassion for the victims, noting that every death affected relatives, friends and entire communities.
While commending the Federal and Plateau State governments, as well as security personnel, for their efforts, Hayab called for an urgent review of security arrangements in vulnerable communities.
He advocated stronger intelligence gathering and early intervention to enable security agencies to identify threats and stop attacks before they occur.
Hayab noted that while increased deployment of security personnel might offer temporary relief, a lasting solution would require a security system capable of detecting threats early, responding to credible intelligence and preventing attackers from reaching vulnerable communities.
He also called for closer cooperation between security agencies and residents, stressing that communities could play an important role in providing information about suspicious activities.
“Residents are often the first to notice unusual movements, suspicious activities and emerging threats in their communities. Such information could help security agencies prevent attacks if reliable channels are created for reporting intelligence and appropriate action is taken promptly,” he said.
The association further urged the security agencies to investigate the attacks thoroughly and ensure that those responsible were arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The NCA also expressed sympathy to the victims’ families, affected communities and the Plateau State Government, while calling for assistance for residents whose livelihoods had been disrupted by the violence.
Hayab said protecting citizens should involve not only responding to attacks after they happen but also strengthening the capacity of security agencies to anticipate threats and prevent them.
