Amb. Godwin Okoko, Executive Director of Bege Foundation, has called for stronger security measures to end the persistent killings and attacks on communities in Plateau and Benue states.
Okoko, who expressed concern over the resurgence of violence across the Middle Belt, said the continued loss of lives, destruction of homes and livelihoods, and trauma suffered by survivors could no longer be allowed to continue.
He said, “The resurgence of attacks on peaceful communities across Benue and Plateau States, and indeed the wider Middle Belt of Nigeria, must be halted.
“There is a deepening sorrow. Communities are burying their sons, daughters, parents and children. Families that should be planning for the future are instead planning funerals. Homes are emptied, livelihoods destroyed, and survivors are left traumatised.”
Okoko said more than 50 lives had reportedly been lost between June and August 17, 2026, stressing that government must move beyond issuing condemnations and deploying security personnel after attacks.
“We cannot continue to count bodies, issue condemnations, hold mass burials and move on until the next tragedy. What has become of the value we place on human life?
“We need more than reactive deployments after attacks. The security architecture across the region must be urgently reviewed and strengthened. Improve intelligence, effective early warning systems, stronger security presence in vulnerable communities, rapid response capacity and sustained coordination among security agencies and communities,” he said.
The Bege Foundation executive director also called for the identification, arrest and prosecution of those responsible for planning, perpetrating and enabling the attacks.
He warned against allowing recurring violence and mass burials to become normal occurrences in affected communities.
“Let us not become so accustomed to violence that another mass burial becomes just another headline. Behind every number is a human being. Behind every coffin is a family. Behind every grieving mother is a story of a life that should have continued,” Okoko said.
He further expressed concern over the psychological impact of the attacks, particularly on women, children and other vulnerable members of affected communities.
“Recently, mass burials were conducted in Riyom and Otukpo LGAs. One cannot help but ask: What crime did these innocent people commit? What offence could possibly justify the loss of their lives, homes and livelihoods?
“Must blood continue to flow every week? Must kidnapping, abduction and violent attacks become a recurring reality for our communities?” he queried.
Okoko urged the federal and state governments to redouble efforts to protect lives and property, while calling on security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering and adopt proactive measures to prevent attacks.
He also appealed to community leaders and other stakeholders to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information that could help prevent attacks.
“Human lives are precious. People are the heartbeat of a nation. They deserve to live, work, farm, sleep, raise their children and live peacefully without fear of being attacked.
“This moment calls for collective action to put an end to the killings,” he added.
