Editorial:
Femi Emmanuel
The brutal attack on the people of Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State on March 29, at about 7:00 p.m., has once again exposed the painful realities of insecurity in Nigeria. The incident, which occurred on Palm Sunday—a day meant for celebration and reflection among Christians worldwide—turned what should have been a moment of joy into one of sorrow and devastation.
Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphant entry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, a sacred period in the Christian calendar. For the residents of Angwan Rukuba, however, the day was marred by terror as gunmen invaded their peaceful community, unleashing violence and plunging the entire state into mourning. No fewer than thirty people were reportedly killed, including young men, women, and even pregnant women, while many others sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving treatment in hospitals.
The aftermath of the attack is heartbreaking. The sight of mutilated corpses and the cries of bereaved families paint a grim picture of a people traumatized by senseless violence. Many indigenes allege that such attacks are driven by attempts to seize ancestral farmlands for cattle grazing, further deepening tensions and mistrust within affected communities.
Sadly, bloodshed is fast becoming a recurring tragedy in Nigeria. Of greater concern is the seeming disconnect between the expectations of citizens and the strategies proposed by those entrusted with safeguarding lives and property. The suggestion by the Chief of Army Staff advocating the rehabilitation of terrorists, rather than prioritizing their arrest and prosecution, has been met with widespread condemnation both at home and in the diaspora. For many Nigerians, this approach undermines justice and weakens confidence in the nation’s security framework, especially when countless innocent lives—and even security personnel—have been lost to such violence.
In response to the tragedy, the Plateau State Government, under the leadership of Caleb Mutfwang, has expressed deep sorrow and solidarity with the victims. The governor assured affected families that the state shares in their grief and pledged to ensure dignified burials for the deceased, rejecting the idea of mass burials in recognition of the value of each life lost.
As the nation reflects on this painful episode, it becomes imperative for all levels of government to reassess existing security strategies and restore public confidence. The protection of lives and property must remain the foremost duty of the state, and justice must not only be done but be seen to be done.
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