Opposition leaders, including former presidential candidates Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and Rabiu Kwankwaso, have called on authorities to take stronger measures to address rising insecurity in the country following the killing of residents in Jos, Plateau State.
The trio condemned the latest attack and urged the government to move beyond routine condemnations to implement decisive actions that would halt the recurring violence.
A former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, described the attacks as unacceptable and called for a sustained strategy to end insecurity.
Obi wrote on his 𝕏 handle, “It is unacceptable that these attacks happen with such frequency, and even more unacceptable that there seems to be no decisive, sustained strategy to end them. No nation or leader normalises tragedy.
“The safety of Nigerian lives must become non-negotiable; we cannot continue to mourn what should have been prevented. Enough is enough.”
While sympathising with the victims’ families, Obi said the Plateau attack once again highlighted the vulnerability of innocent citizens.
“The attack in Plateau reminds us, yet again, of the insecurity innocent citizens face in our nation without any protection,” he added.
Atiku Decries ‘Barbaric Attack’
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, also condemned the incident, describing it as a barbaric act and lamenting that insecurity continues to plague ordinary Nigerians.
Atiku said, “I am outraged by the barbaric attack.
“Despite endless pronouncements and so-called marching orders, insecurity remains the grim, daily reality of ordinary Nigerians who continue to bear the brunt of a failing system. It is long past the time for outrage without action.”
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain urged authorities to muster the political will needed to tackle the security crisis.
“The anger across the land must now compel urgent, decisive political will to confront and crush this menace. The continued slaughter of innocent citizens cannot become our new normal,” he added.
Kwankwaso blames leadership failure
Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso also criticised the persistent violence, saying the Jos killings reflect a deeper leadership failure.
According to him, the incident “represents the continuing failure of leadership and the deepening culture of impunity that has turned parts of our country into killing fields.”
He stressed that the recurring violence in Plateau and other parts of the country should no longer be treated casually.
“The recurring violence in Plateau State, and indeed across several parts of Nigeria, can no longer be treated as business as usual. It demands to be treated as the national emergency that it was declared to be by the Federal and State Governments.
“Our people deserve the right to live in peace, security, and dignity, regardless of their ethnicity or faith,” he said.
Sunday’s attack occurred in Angwan Rukuba, in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, where gunmen opened fire at a bar-cum-restaurant.
The incident left 28 people dead and several others injured.
The killings have triggered widespread outrage across the country and protests by residents of the affected community demanding improved security measures.
