Plateau Killings: IGP Vows to ‘Surprise’ Culprits Amid Public Skepticism

The recent X post by Channels Television, dated April 16, 2025, highlights a critical statement from Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, concerning the escalating violence in Plateau State.

The IGP, speaking on a televised broadcast, promised a surprising response to those responsible for the recent attacks that claimed at least 51 lives in the villages of Zikke and Kimakpa in the Bassa district.

This tragic event, reported by Reuters on April 14, 2025, is part of a long-standing conflict between farmers and herders in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, a region where ethnic and religious tensions often intersect with disputes over land and resources.

The violence, which has been worsened by climate change and shrinking pastoral lands, continues to destabilize communities, leaving many residents displaced and grieving.

This statement from the IGP comes shortly after his directive on April 9, 2025, to deploy advanced police resources to Plateau State, as detailed in a report by Punch Nigeria.

Following coordinated attacks on March 28 in Bokkos Local Government Area that killed at least 50 people, the IGP ordered the mobilization of tactical units, including state-of-the-art drones, Armored Personnel Carriers, helicopters, and specialized platoons from the Special Intervention Squad.

The goal was to enhance surveillance and conduct operations to curb the incessant violence that has plagued the North Central state.

The deployment was meant to signal the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to restoring peace and ensuring the safety of residents, while also bringing the perpetrators to justice.

However, the recurring nature of these attacks raises questions about the effectiveness of such measures in addressing the root causes of the conflict.

Public reaction to the IGP’s remarks, as seen in the replies to the Channels Television post, reflects deep frustration and skepticism.

X users like @donchia called out the authorities for focusing on rhetoric rather than action, questioning whether the goal is to “surprise” the culprits or to apprehend them and ensure they face legal consequences.

Similarly, @AdetunjiAdewolu emphasized the need for concrete results over press statements, echoing a broader sentiment of distrust in the security apparatus.

This skepticism is fueled by the historical context of the farmer-herder clashes, which have resulted in over 19,000 deaths since 1999, according to Wikipedia, driven by factors like desertification, population growth, and the breakdown of traditional conflict resolution mechanisms.

As Plateau State continues to mourn its losses, the pressure mounts on the IGP to deliver on his promise and address the systemic issues fueling this violence.