The people of Plateau State have vowed that bullets and bloodletting will not tear apart the delicate threads holding their communities together.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Mr. Chris Ishaku, spokesperson of the Plateau Vanguard for Democracy (PVD), declared that the latest wave of violence is a storm the state will weather without surrendering its soul. His remarks followed the gruesome killing of 10 residents in Ratatis community, Dorowa Babuje, in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
The victims were reportedly ambushed by armed assailants at about 7:27 p.m. on Sunday in a chilling evening raid that has once again plunged the embattled community into grief. Three others suffered severe injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals, while the full circumstances surrounding the attack remain shrouded in uncertainty.
Ishaku described the assault as a deliberate ploy to sow seeds of fear and widen cracks in Plateau’s multi-ethnic landscape. But he insisted the people would not bend.
“The people of Plateau will not be broken. No amount of bloodshed, intimidation or calculated violence will destroy our collective resolve to live together in peace.
‘’Those behind these attacks seek to fracture our unity, but they will fail,’’ he said.
According to him, Plateau has drunk too deeply from the cup of sorrow over the years to allow itself to spiral into another vicious circle of vengeance and division.
“We have endured too much pain to allow ourselves to be pushed into division. Plateau people are stronger than the forces of hatred. We will not surrender our land to fear,” he added.
He cautioned residents against retreating into ethnic and religious silos in the wake of the tragedy, urging them instead to close ranks.
According to him, this is not the time to retreat into ethnic or religious camps. This is the time to stand shoulder to shoulder as one Plateau family.
‘’The blood being shed does not ask whether one is Christian or Muslim, Berom, Fulani, Anaguta or Irigwe.
“The strength of Plateau has always been in its diversity. We must not allow agents of division to weaponise our differences. Unity is our greatest weapon against those who profit from instability.’’
Ishaku also appealed to citizens to lift Governor Caleb Mutfwang and other leaders in prayer as they confront renewed security threats.
‘’Leadership demands wisdom, courage and divine guidance in moments like this. Gov. Mutfwang carries a heavy burden in these trying times.
‘’We must support him with our prayers and constructive engagement as he works with security agencies to restore calm,” he said.
The latest bloodshed has heightened anxiety in Barkin Ladi and neighbouring communities, with residents mourning yet another tragic chapter in the area’s troubled history.
Still, Ishaku maintained that Plateau must not allow its identity to be written in red ink.
“Violence will not define us. We refuse to allow criminals and enemies of peace to dictate the future of our state,’’ he emphasised.
