“Enough Is Enough”: Tinubu Condemns Plateau Massacre, Presses Governor to Confront Root Causes of Ethnic Crisis
Abuja | April 15, 2025 – IDNN Special Report
In a sharp and emotionally charged statement, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has condemned the latest outbreak of communal violence in Plateau State, which left over 40 people dead in the Zike and Kimakpa communities of Bassa Local Government Area.
The President declared that the cycle of retaliatory killings in the region must end, urging Governor Caleb Mutfwang and state authorities to demonstrate political courage and tackle the decades-long ethnic and religious divisions that continue to fuel unrest in the North-Central state.
“We Cannot Allow This to Continue” — Tinubu Reacts to Plateau Bloodshed
In a statement released on Monday through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, and titled ‘President Tinubu condemns latest attack in Plateau, charges Governor Mutfwang to resolve underlying communal issues’, Tinubu expressed deep sorrow for the lives lost and extended condolences to the families of the victims.
“We cannot allow this devastation and the tit-for-tat attacks to continue. Enough is enough,” Tinubu declared.
The President stressed that while criminal elements must be arrested and prosecuted, reactive policing alone would not suffice. Instead, he called for bold political will to address the root causes of Plateau’s protracted crisis.
Decades of Violence, Decades of Denial
Tinubu did not shy away from naming the historical context behind the violence. He blamed the persistent misunderstanding between ethnic and religious communities, as well as years of inaction and avoidance, for allowing tensions to fester.
“These problems have been with us for more than two decades. We can no longer ignore the underlying issues. It is time to tackle them fairly and find a lasting solution,” he stated.
He added that he had engaged in multiple discussions with Governor Mutfwang and had made direct suggestions for building a framework for peace and reconciliation.
Federal Backing, Security Probes, and Appeal for Unity
Tinubu also announced that he has directed federal security agencies to commence a full investigation into the killings and to bring those responsible to justice. He further appealed to traditional rulers, spiritual leaders, and community heads to play their role in breaking the chain of reprisals.
“The Federal Government remains committed to supporting Governor Mutfwang and the Plateau State government in promoting dialogue, fostering social cohesion, and ensuring accountability—crucial steps towards permanently resolving the conflict in Plateau.”
He stressed the need for nationwide solidarity and urged religious and political leaders from across Nigeria to stand united against division and violence.
📌 IDNN ANALYSIS
Tinubu’s tone marks a notable escalation in federal rhetoric regarding the Plateau conflict, signaling a shift from platitudes to pressure. His decision to publicly charge Governor Mutfwang, a PDP governor, to “act with political will” underscores the national stakes of localized violence.
More than just a regional issue, the Plateau crisis has become a litmus test for Nigeria’s federal-state collaboration in conflict resolution and governance accountability.
Whether Tinubu’s words translate into sustained policy action, federal support mechanisms, and security coordination, or remain symbolic, will be closely watched by both citizens and international observers.
