Protests on Monday morning broke out in Jos, the Plateau State capital, as outraged residents, led by Christian leaders, took to the streets over killings in the state.
The demonstrations, led by the state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Polycarp Lubo, started at the Fawvwei Junction community road. The protest banner has Hashtags like # LetPlateauLive #PeaceForPlateau and #StopTheKillings #EveryLifeMatters
The protest follows the killing of over 100 people across Plateau’s rural communities of Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas in the past two weeks.
“We are not happy over the continuous attacks and killings by gunmen in our communities. That’s why we have come out again to protest these happenings,” Gyang Dalyop told journalists during the protests.
Another protester, Hannatu Philip, made an appeal to the government and warned that the situation was on the brink of spiraling beyond control if immediate intervention was not provided.
The demonstrators, carried placards with inscriptions like “killing us wont kill our hope”, “The ground cries blood—Where is justice”, and “Christian ls are not targets—We deserve to live”, amongst others as they marched towards the Rayfield Government House, demanding urgent government action and security protection.
THE WHISTLER reports that former Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd.), on Saturday, April 19, called on Nigerians in Benue, Plateau, and other violence-stricken states to rise and defend themselves.
Danjuma, speaking in Takum, Taraba State, expressed frustration over what he described as the government’s failure to protect its citizens.
“The warning I gave some years ago is still as valid today as it was then. Nigerians must rise and defend themselves,” Danjuma said, adding that, “We cannot continue to sit and watch while bandits, terrorists, and criminal gangs massacre our people unchecked.”
He stressed that communities must take proactive steps to safeguard their lives and properties, as relying solely on government protection has become dangerously unrealistic.
“It is now very clear that the government alone cannot protect us. We must stand up and defend ourselves, our families, and our lands before these criminals overrun the entire country,” he added.
