As Plateau reels from another wave of bloodshed, Nigeria’s police chief warns against ethnic profiling while vowing to bring perpetrators to justice.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has called for national unity and a firm rejection of ethnic profiling in the wake of yet another brutal massacre in Plateau State. During a visit to the devastated Zikke community in Bassa Local Government Area on Tuesday, the IGP met with survivors and local leaders, following Monday night’s attack that left scores dead, homes incinerated, and hundreds displaced.
Though eyewitness accounts and community reports implicate armed Fulani herdsmen—an accusation echoing similar tragedies in neighbouring Benue State—Egbetokun warned communities against tagging criminal acts to specific ethnic groups.
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms these barbaric acts of violence,” Egbetokun declared solemnly. “But I must stress—criminals don’t wear tribal tags. They don’t speak for any ethnic group. A criminal is simply a criminal, and that’s how they must be treated.”
The IGP emphasized that Nigeria’s strength lies in its unity, and urged Plateau residents not to allow grief and anger to devolve into ethnic hatred.
“Let us work together as one people. We must stop profiling criminals based on where they come from or what language they speak. Justice must not wear an ethnic face,” he said, adding that “those behind this bloodshed will be caught—make no mistake, their days are numbered.”
Egbetokun’s remarks come amid mounting national concern over the deteriorating security situation in Plateau State—a region long haunted by cycles of herder-farmer clashes, ethno-religious violence, and banditry.
The Zikke attack—eerily reminiscent of another recent massacre in Bokkos LGA—has once again plunged the state into mourning. Governor Caleb Muftwang, who received the police chief during the condolence visit, did not mince words.
“This was not just an attack—it was cold-blooded murder,” Muftwang said, visibly shaken. “Children between the ages of 3 and 9 were slaughtered. What threat could a three-year-old possibly pose? We also lost elderly men and women—harmless citizens whose only ‘crime’ was being alive in their own homes.”
The governor expressed frustration over the regression in security, noting that Plateau had been making remarkable strides in peacebuilding before this latest wave of violence.
“For a while, I could boast that Plateau was among the safest places in Nigeria—it wasn’t a lie. We were rising from the ashes, rebuilding our communities. But now, we face a new darkness that threatens to undo all we’ve worked for,” he lamented.
Muftwang revealed that he had spoken directly with President Bola Tinubu, who assured him of swift and coordinated security action.
“Mr. President has personally intervened. He has given orders to all the relevant security agencies to bring the situation under control. While things appear calm for now, we cannot afford to let our guard down.”
Civil society organisations, traditional leaders, and humanitarian groups have all renewed their calls for a comprehensive security overhaul and sustainable peace initiatives in Plateau State. They argue that band-aid responses and reactive deployments are no longer sufficient in the face of what is increasingly looking like a campaign of terror.
The Zikke massacre is not an isolated incident. It is the latest chapter in a grim saga that continues to test Nigeria’s resolve to protect its most vulnerable, and uphold justice—without prejudice.
As the nation mourns yet again, the question remains: will this be the tragedy that finally sparks lasting action?
PIONEER NEWS 