Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly condemned the escalating killings in Plateau State, labeling them as coordinated acts of terror against defenseless civilians. He criticized the federal government's inadequate security response, which he said has exacerbated violence in affected communities.
In a statement issued on Thursday, May 7, 2026, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku warned that the situation signals a breakdown in coordinated security and counterterrorism efforts across Nigeria. The recurring attacks, he noted, now reveal a more organized and sustained pattern of violence.
Atiku Describes Attacks as Organized Terror Campaign
Atiku emphasized that the continued bloodshed in Plateau has gone beyond isolated incidents, describing them as coordinated acts of terror against vulnerable communities. He said, "The violent crises in Plateau State have become an open sore that Nigeria must urgently heal. What is happening is no longer random violence. It is a recurring pattern of coordinated terror attacks against vulnerable communities."
Reference to Barkin Ladi Killings and Attack on Mourners
The former Vice President specifically referenced the recent attack in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, where armed assailants killed residents in Nding Susut community. He noted that attackers reportedly returned the next day to target mourners at a burial ceremony. Atiku stated that this development reflects a disturbing level of insecurity and government inaction.
Criticism of Delayed and Inconsistent Security Response
Atiku condemned what he described as slow and inconsistent responses from security agencies, arguing that such delays have emboldened attackers and increased civilian casualties. He said, "That attackers could reportedly return to the same community barely 24 hours later to unleash another round of bloodshed is a damning indictment of the government's failure to respond swiftly to distress calls and secure vulnerable communities." He also pointed out conflicting official reports, insisting that Nigerians need urgent protection rather than contradictory statements.
Former VP Blames Government for Repeated Security Failures
Atiku stated that Nigerians are increasingly frustrated with what he called "condolences without protection," stressing that repeated killings have exposed weaknesses in national security operations. He said, "There can be no justification whatsoever for this repeated failure. Nigerians are tired of condolences without protection, and outrage without action."
Questioning Presidential Response to Plateau Crisis
Atiku also criticized President Bola Tinubu's handling of previous violence in Plateau, alleging a lack of direct engagement with affected communities. He noted, "During his visit to Plateau State on April 2, President Tinubu stayed far away from the communities that suffered the attacks. Leadership demands more than carefully staged appearances; it demands empathy, courage, and decisive action."
Calls for Urgent Security Overhaul
The former Vice President warned that the ongoing killings reflect a lack of political will and strategic direction in addressing insecurity. He revealed that over 2,500 people were reportedly killed in Plateau between 2023 and 2025. Atiku urged federal and state authorities, along with security agencies, to adopt a more proactive and intelligence-driven strategy to prevent further attacks. He concluded, "The people of Plateau State deserve safety, justice, and peace — not endless mourning and empty political rhetoric."
