The Northern Senators Forum has called for a major shift in the way security threats are handled in Plateau State, following another deadly attack that reportedly killed at least 25 people.
The senators said the repeated violence in the state shows that more needs to be done to detect and prevent attacks before they happen.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua, the forum expressed sympathy to families affected by the latest attack and other attacks recorded across Plateau.
It said communities in Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and other parts of the state have suffered years of violence, leading to the loss of lives, destruction of homes and farms and the displacement of thousands of residents.
Rather than relying mainly on troops after attacks occur, the senators called for stronger intelligence and early warning systems in vulnerable communities.
They specifically requested the deployment of drones, CCTV cameras and other surveillance equipment in identified flashpoints, including Ampang, Kombul, Mangu and Gindiri.
The forum welcomed the deployment of additional troops and equipment by the Nigerian Army and the relocation of the tactical headquarters of Operation Enduring Peace from Jos to Mangu Local Government Area.
It said the move could improve the military’s ability to monitor affected communities and respond quickly to emerging threats.
The senators also called for stronger cooperation between security agencies and local communities, saying residents should provide useful information that could help prevent attacks and identify those responsible.
Beyond security operations, the forum said the causes of recurring conflicts must also be addressed.
It called for dialogue among farmers, herders and traditional leaders to resolve disputes over land, grazing routes and compensation for destroyed property.
The senators also urged the Plateau State Government to establish a transparent compensation and resettlement programme for victims and internally displaced persons.
While acknowledging President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Plateau and Federal Government interventions, the forum urged both federal and state authorities to do more to protect vulnerable communities.
The senators stressed that security should not be measured only by the number of attacks stopped after they occur, but by the number of attacks prevented.
They therefore urged governments at all levels to move from a **reaction-based security system to one driven by intelligence, early warning and prevention**.
The forum also appealed to residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies as efforts continue to restore peace across the affected areas.
Senator Abdulazeez Yaradua
