Murder series: Plateau State Killings

On the 14th of April, 2025, Nigerians woke up to news of killings in Plateau State. A sad Monday it was indeed but an even devastating one for the families of the 54 Nigerians who were brutally murdered. 
Zikke, a village in Bassa LGA, Plateau state was raided by gunmen within the wee hours of 12:00am and 1:00am. The village was razed, looted and destroyed by these gunmen. Most of the casualties were the elderly and children, a mass burial was conducted. May their souls Rest In Peace. 

These attacks were reported as a result of security lapses on the part of the government. While the President has assured that new security  measures have been implemented, recent attacks have proven otherwise. 

What happened to investigating the perpetrators and bringing them to Justice? This loophole on the end of the government is giving them the morale to continue such impunity.
Records have shown that between December 2023 and February 2024, at least 1,336 people were killed, 533 were women , 263 children and 540 men. Also over 29,554 people were displaced, 13,093 children and 16,461 women. 

What Can We Do To Help?

As Nigerian youths, we too can help to ensure the security of our nation. Neighborhood watch for instance, you might say it’s not a doable thing in our country but while it’s not a vigilante service, we should keep our eyes and ears open and be ready to report suspicious acts when called upon.
Volunteer to work at IDP camps, donate clothes to charity for use at camps or rural communities. 
Write articles to get published in local newspapers to gain attention of the government, communal action such as peaceful movements to raise our concerns on certain issues.

There’s only so little yet so much we as Nigerian youths can do, but it’s the little things that matter and our ability to have our voices of change heard.But to our government, have these recent attacks in rural communities not been enough for you to act on? Will more lives have to be lost before proper security measures are put in place? Will small rural communities like Zikke continue to be hunting grounds for predators like these gunmen and other terrorists? This violence and negligence on their part is costing the lives of innocent Nigerians and a decline in their livelihoods. This wave of insecurity is due for mitigation or is there a sabotage we do not know about?