Plateau Government Condemns Military Inaction After Deadly Attack Near Checkpoint
27 Farmers Killed Just 200 Meters from Army Post
The Plateau State Government has issued a scathing condemnation of the Nigerian military following a devastating attack that claimed 27 lives in Riyom Local Government Area. Shockingly, the massacre occurred just 200 meters from an active military checkpoint, raising serious questions about security force responsiveness.
The pre-dawn assault on July 16 targeted the Bindi community, with attackers burning homes and destroying crops across eight settlements. Governor Caleb Mutfwang expressed outrage at security forces’ failure to act despite receiving prior intelligence about potential violence.
Security Failures Under Scrutiny
During an appearance on Channels TV’s The Morning Brief, Plateau’s Commissioner for Information Ramnap Joyce delivered a blistering critique of the military’s performance. She revealed that despite soldiers reportedly encountering the gunmen during the attack, no arrests were made and none of the assailants were neutralized.
“This wasn’t some remote, inaccessible location,” Joyce emphasized. “The attack happened along a known route with established checkpoints. With such proximity, we expected a much more effective response from our security forces.”
Calls for Accountability and Strategy Overhaul
The commissioner stopped short of alleging widespread military complicity but stressed the need for greater accountability. “We’re not saying the entire army is compromised, but when attackers operate this brazenly near security posts, there must be consequences,” she stated.
Governor Mutfwang has demanded an immediate review of security strategies in Plateau State, where attacks by so-called “unknown gunmen” have become distressingly frequent. The governor emphasized that intelligence warnings preceded this latest violence, making the security lapse particularly egregious.
Community Resilience Amid Tragedy
Joyce noted one glimmer of hope amid the tragedy – one section of the community successfully repelled the attackers. However, neighboring areas suffered devastating losses, accounting for most of the 27 fatalities.
The commissioner acknowledged that many soldiers serving in Plateau perform admirably under difficult conditions. However, she warned that “bad eggs” within the ranks risk eroding public trust in security institutions at a time when confidence is already fragile.
Broader Implications for Regional Security
This incident raises troubling questions about security force effectiveness in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region, where communal violence has claimed thousands of lives in recent years. Human rights groups have repeatedly called for security sector reforms to address what they describe as systemic failures in protecting vulnerable communities.
As mourning begins for the 27 victims, pressure mounts on federal authorities to explain how such an attack could occur virtually under the noses of stationed troops. The Plateau State government has vowed to pursue answers while calling for immediate measures to prevent future tragedies.
For more details on this developing story, read the original report at Business Day.