Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has issued a strong call to Nigeria’s military leadership, demanding immediate and decisive action following the latest wave of killings in Plateau State.
The lawmaker, who represents Kogi Central, expressed frustration over what she described as continued failure to protect lives, urging the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, to move beyond rhetoric and deliver concrete security outcomes.
In a statement shared via her Facebook page on Monday, Akpoti-Uduaghan criticised repeated assurances from security authorities, warning that Nigerians were losing confidence in the system.
“Angwan Rukuba is another brutal reminder that Nigerians remain unprotected,” she wrote, referencing the latest attack.
She recalled the minister’s promises during his Senate screening, stating that expectations had been raised at the time, but insisting that the moment now demanded measurable results.
“Prove now you are different and secure lives, or step aside. Enough of condolences. Enough of excuses. Nigerians want action, protection, and results,” she added.
Her remarks come in the wake of a deadly Sunday night attack in Angwan Rukuba and surrounding communities in Jos North Local Government Area, where gunmen reportedly stormed the area and opened fire on residents.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers, numbering more than 20 and riding motorcycles, began shooting indiscriminately at a busy junction and an open-air bar before extending the assault into nearby residential neighbourhoods, including areas populated by students of the University of Jos.
The violence left scores of residents dead and many others injured, triggering panic as people fled in different directions in search of safety.
“The attackers just rode past and started shooting sporadically. People were running in different directions,” a resident said, describing the chaos that engulfed the community.
The incident adds to a troubling pattern of violence in Plateau, where recurring attacks have continued to test the capacity of security agencies and deepen fears among residents.
Only weeks earlier, no fewer than 20 security operatives and vigilantes were reportedly killed when heavily armed bandits ambushed a joint patrol team in Wanka and nearby communities in Kanam Local Government Area.
That attack further exposed vulnerabilities in the state’s security architecture and heightened tensions across affected communities.
In response to the latest killings, Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the attack as “barbaric and unprovoked,” describing it as a direct assault on innocent citizens.
The governor convened emergency security meetings and visited affected communities, assuring residents that efforts were underway to track down those responsible and bring them to justice.
As part of immediate containment measures, the state government imposed a 48-hour curfew in Jos North Local Government Area to prevent further escalation and restore order.
The attack also sparked unrest among residents, with some youths reportedly taking to the streets in protest, blocking major roads and expressing anger over the repeated loss of lives.
For many observers, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s statement reflects a growing impatience among political leaders and citizens alike, as communities across Plateau and neighbouring states continue to face persistent threats ranging from armed attacks to kidnappings and cattle rustling.
The senator’s intervention underscores a broader national conversation about accountability within Nigeria’s security framework, particularly at a time when public expectations for safety and protection remain high.
As authorities intensify efforts to stabilise the situation, the focus now shifts to whether the renewed calls for action will translate into meaningful change or become yet another moment of outrage in a cycle of recurring violence.
For residents of Plateau, however, the urgency is far more immediate — a demand not just for promises, but for protection that can be seen, felt, and trusted.
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