Adedayo Akinwale, Alex Enumah in Abuja and Tosin Clegg in Lagos
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has said that the continued shedding of innocent blood in Plateau State must no longer be treated with routine outrage and temporary responses.
This was as public outrage has continued to mount following the tragic incident in Jos, with many Nigerians calling on celebrities and religious leaders to move beyond expressions of sympathy and use their influence to demand accountability from government authorities.
Also, a diaspora group under the auspices of the Plateau State Association USA, Inc. (PSA-USA), has strongly condemned the recent killings in Plateau State, describing the act as unacceptable and a grave concern which requires immediate and coordinated response by relevant authorities.
Yilwatda, in a statement issued yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, declared that it was not only unacceptable but a national tragedy.
He commended the visit of President Bola Tinubu to the state to commiserate with the government and people of the state over the recent horrific and senseless killings of innocent residents of Angwan Rukuba in Jos North Local Government Area.
The APC National Chairman stressed that the President's visit was a profound demonstration of responsive leadership, empathy, and national solidarity at a time when the people of Plateau are grieving the painful and unjust loss of their loved ones to yet another round of barbaric violence.
Speaking during the visit, Yilwatda described the attack as inhuman, cowardly, reprehensible, and a direct assault on the peace, unity, and soul of Plateau State.
He noted: "The continued shedding of innocent blood in Plateau is not only unacceptable but a national tragedy that must no longer be treated with routine outrage and temporary responses.
"The time has come for deliberate, coordinated, and result-oriented efforts by all relevant authorities and stakeholders to ensure that such dastardly and unconscionable acts never happen again in Plateau State or anywhere else in the country."
Yilwatda called on leaders of communities across Plateau State to become more vigilant, responsive, and proactive in identifying and reporting suspicious movements and security threats within their domains.
He noted that the recurring pattern of killings strongly suggests that many of those behind these heinous acts are not ghosts or invisible invaders, but criminal elements and miscreants living within or around the communities, exploiting local vulnerabilities to unleash mayhem on innocent citizens.
He added that these evil perpetrators must no longer be shielded by silence, fear, complicity, or communal indifference, insisting that they must be identified, exposed, apprehended, and made to face the full wrath of the law.
The APC National Chairman further charged security agencies to urgently rethink and upgrade their security architecture and operational methods in tackling the persistent violence in Plateau State.
He emphasised that the security agencies cannot continue to deploy outdated tactics against increasingly adaptive and ruthless criminal networks and expect a different outcome.
Yilwatda therefore advocated the deployment of modern surveillance and intelligence-driven technology, including Artificial Intelligence-powered cameras, drones, advanced tracking systems, and real-time intelligence gathering mechanisms, to detect, monitor, and neutralise criminal elements before they strike.
He noted that the era demands smarter, faster, and more sophisticated security responses, adding that the protection of lives and property must now be driven not only by manpower, but also by technology, intelligence, precision, and accountability.
Yilwatda emphasised that Plateau cannot continue to mourn in cycles, while the enemies of peace roam freely and repeatedly unleash terror on innocent citizens.
He drew attention to the grave economic implications of insecurity in Plateau State, lamenting that the state, which is richly blessed with breathtaking natural landscapes, vibrant tourism assets, and enormous economic potential, has continued to suffer avoidable setbacks due to persistent violence.
According to him, "No economy can thrive where fear reigns, no investment can flourish where blood is spilled, and no society can truly prosper where innocent citizens live under the shadow of insecurity."
Yilwatda warned that without adequate protection of lives and communities, the social and economic future of the state could be severely paralysed, thereby depriving the people, especially young people, of prosperity, stability, and hope.
He, therefore, called for a whole-of-society approach to ending the violence in Plateau, urging traditional institutions, religious leaders, political actors, youth groups, women's groups, security operatives, and community stakeholders to work together in honesty and patriotism to restore peace and stability.
During the visit, other leaders from across Plateau State also spoke passionately on the disturbing security situation in the state and the urgent need for decisive and sustained intervention to halt the bloodshed and restore confidence among the people.
Meanwhile, as criticism of government response intensified, attention also shifted to public figures, with citizens urging them to leverage their platforms to amplify calls for justice and long-term solutions. Social media has since been awash with debates over the role of celebrities in moments of national crisis.
Rapper Ice Prince Zamani, a native of Jos, expressed his grief in a post, stating: "Since 2001, Jos, Jos, Jos. My people have suffered too much... Thoughts and prayers."
However, his comments drew backlash from users who argued that sympathy alone was insufficient. Some critics also referenced his past association with political events, insisting he should use his platform more assertively to demand accountability.
Similarly, MI Abaga described the incident as deeply painful, lamenting the recurring violence in Jos. Yet, like Ice Prince, his remarks were met with criticism from users who called for stronger advocacy rather than prayers.
In contrast, content creator Debo Adebayo released a detailed video, describing the tragedy as part of a recurring pattern of insecurity and stressing the need for sustained, structural solutions.
Veteran actor Femi Branch also delivered a strongly worded reaction, questioning government silence and warning of declining public confidence in national institutions if decisive action is not taken.
While a few other personalities, including Woli Arole and Muyiwa Ademola, issued brief reactions, many Nigerians expressed disappointment at what they described as limited engagement from the broader entertainment industry. Critics argued that while celebrities often mobilise public participation during elections, including voter registration campaigns, they appear less vocal in demanding accountability from those in power.
The development has sparked a wider conversation about the responsibilities of influential figures in society, with many Nigerians insisting that beyond entertainment, their voices should serve as tools for advocacy, especially in times of national distress.
Similarly, the Plateau State Association USA, Inc. (PSA-USA) lamented that the recurring nature of these attacks highlights serious gaps in prevention, response, and overall security coordination.
In a statement yesterday, the diaspora group stated that the continued loss of innocent lives under recurring circumstances underscores the urgent need for more proactive, coordinated, and effective security measures.
They called on the President Tinubu-led federal government to take immediate and decisive steps in addressing the deteriorating security situation in Plateau State.
National President of the group, Dr. Barth Shepkong, while reminding that the protection of lives and property is the primary responsibility of the government, urged the President to act with urgency and resolve to safeguard the lives of citizens in Plateau State.
The association emphasised that repeated incidents of violence; especially where warning signs are evident, must be met with swift and effective intervention.
"Where early warning signs exist, they must be matched with early and effective action," the group said.
"The current security structure is no longer sufficient to address localised and evolving threats. Strengthening Nigeria's security architecture, including state policing, is essential," they added.
They maintained that "those responsible for these attacks must be identified, arrested, and prosecuted without delay," because accountability is essential to breaking this cycle of violence.
PSA-USA also called on critical stakeholders in Plateau State, such as religious leaders, traditional rulers, security agencies, state lawmakers, and members of the National Assembly; to act with urgency and take collective responsibility for protecting the lives and property of the people they represent.
"This is a moment for leadership. All stakeholders must act decisively to protect lives and restore public confidence in the system," they stated, just as they warned that sustained inaction or delayed responses risk undermining public trust and further endangering communities.
As a diaspora organisation with deep ties to Plateau communities, PSA-USA reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for sustainable security solutions and accountable governance.
"PSA-USA stands in solidarity with the governor and the peace-loving people of Plateau State, particularly those directly impacted in the affected communities, and reiterates the urgent need for immediate and sustained efforts to prevent further loss of life.
"The protection of human life is the first duty of government and it must not fail," the statement added.
The PSA-USA is a non-profit, non-political, and non-religious organisation that unites Plateau State indigenes in the United States to support education, healthcare, and socio-economic development initiatives for underserved communities in the state and in the U.S.