The 2023 Christmas Eve attacks on Bokkos and Bariki Ladi Local Government Areas in Plateau state where over 140 innocent lives were lost, were nothing short of devastating.
The attacks carried out by gunmen with little known identity have elicited condemnation from several well-meaning Nigerians, even though it is the second major attack in Plateau that claimed over 100 lives in 2023.
Even President Bola Tinubu has condemned the action and sympathised with the people who must be shocked by the feeble response from military officials who blamed their delayed response on the poor terrains despite the barrage of distress calls received.
Recalling the words of foremost activist, Martin Luther King Jr, “True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice.”
It then becomes imperative that President Bola Tinubu and all well-meaning Nigerians recognize the urgent need to ensure justice prevails as there can be no true peace when such brazen attacks go unpunished.
While acknowledging Vice President Kashim Shettima’s visit to the victims, it is crucial not to relegate this incident to the all-too-familiar narrative of previous administrations.
It is the duty of President Tinubu and fellow Nigerians to hold the military accountable, demanding a thorough investigation and ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to justice either through the legal system or the unwavering force of security officials.
Justice delayed is justice denied. If we fail to deliver decisive justice and bring the Plateau killers to account, it would not only be a disservice to the victims but would also send a perilous signal to terrorists that their heinous acts can go unpunished.
President Tinubu must also ensure that he matches his promise of overhauling the security system with timely action to ensure that Nigeria is safe for its residents.
Tinubu and other public officials must come to terms with the reality that Insecurity anywhere is a threat to security everywhere.
Failing to address the root causes of these attacks and those in other states and holding the perpetrators accountable jeopardizes the security and well-being of the entire nation.
It is time to act decisively to ensure that justice is not just a lofty ideal but a tangible reality that fosters peace, security, and development in Nigeria.
