In a high-profile response to the Christmas Day massacre in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi communities, a delegation of Nigeria’s top security brass and critical government officials landed in Jos, Plateau State, today.
The visit, led by Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, and Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, signals a concentrated effort to address the aftermath of the brutal attacks that claimed over 100 lives.
Joining them are Minister of State for Defence Bello Muhammed Matawalle and Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Betta Edu, underscoring the multifaceted approach to address the immediate needs of the displaced and the long-term security concerns.
Their arrival, captured in a video circulating on social media, comes just a day after the Senate summoned the security chiefs and other key officials in response to the tragedy.
Senator Diket Plang’s (APC, Plateau Central) motion of urgent importance underscored the national outcry for accountability and action. The Red Chamber also called upon Director-General of the Department of State Services Yusuf Bichi and Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to answer questions and outline concrete steps to prevent future violence.
The visit to the ravaged villages is a stark reminder of the scale of the devastation. Gunmen had rampaged through Ndun, Ngyong, Murfet, Makundary, Tamiso, Chiang, Tahore, Gawarba, Dares, Meyenga, Darwat, and Butura Kampani, leaving a trail of burnt houses and shattered lives.
Petrators. Vice President Kashim Shettima’s earlier visit to the affected communities offered assurances that the government would relentlessly pursue justice. Today’s high-level delegation, however, marks a tangible shift from pronouncements to on-the-ground action.
The success of this visit hinges on the ability of the security chiefs and officials to provide both immediate relief and a credible long-term security plan. The displaced communities desperately need food, shelter, and medical attention.
Beyond these immediate needs lies the pressing question of preventing such atrocities from recurring. The delegation’s effectiveness will be measured by the concrete steps they outline and the swiftness with which those plans are implemented.
The eyes of the nation are on Jos today, watching to see how these top officials respond to this horrific tragedy. The lives lost deserve both justice and the promise of a safer future. In the coming days and weeks, the delegation’s actions will tell whether that promise will be more than empty words.
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