Senate orders IGP probe into Plateau killings, delegation to visit affected communities

The Senate has directed the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to immediately launch a comprehensive investigation into the recent killings in Anguwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, which reportedly claimed the lives of at least 28 people.

In addition to calling for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible, the upper legislative chamber resolved to dispatch a high-powered delegation led by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to commiserate with victims and the government and people of Plateau State.

The resolutions followed a motion jointly sponsored on Tuesday by Senator Diket Plang (Plateau Central) and Senator Dachung Mwadkon (Plateau North), who expressed grave concern over what they described as a worsening security situation in Kanam and Jos North Local Government Areas.

Leading the debate, Plang lamented that Plateau State, once celebrated as the “Home of Peace and Tourism,” has witnessed a troubling resurgence of violence after years of relative calm.

He cited attacks in Kanam earlier in March and the March 29, 2026 assault in Anguwan Rukuba, which he said occurred while residents were going about their daily activities.

According to him, the pattern of attacks suggested coordination and deliberate targeting of civilians in densely populated areas, raising fears of escalating insecurity across the state.

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Plang also drew attention to a separate ambush in the Garga axis of Kanam, where a joint security patrol team was attacked, resulting in casualties among security personnel.

“Worthy of note is the fact that one of the challenges faced by security agencies is inadequate personnel, as the current data show a ratio of one policeman to 650 citizens, which is in opposition to the recommended United Nations standard. This needs to be escalated as a matter of urgency,” he said.

Senator Simon Lalong (Plateau South) recounted similar incidents during his tenure as governor, noting that violence had previously erupted in comparable circumstances.

“When I was governor, it happened like that. Just within fifty yards, several people were killed. This time it was on Palm Sunday,” he stated.

Lawmakers observed that the crisis in Plateau has evolved into a complex conflict with economic, ethnic, and religious dimensions. They warned that the recurring violence is displacing communities, disrupting farming activities, and threatening food security in the region.

The Senate stressed that the protection of lives and property remains the primary responsibility of the government and urged security agencies to adopt more proactive strategies.

These include the establishment of permanent operational bases in volatile areas, enhanced intelligence gathering, and intensified aerial surveillance to identify and dismantle criminal hideouts.

The chamber also called for increased recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force and the armed forces to address manpower shortages and strengthen internal security operations nationwide.

The latest directive underscores mounting legislative concern over the deteriorating security situation in Plateau State, as communities grapple with renewed bloodshed and uncertainty.