By George Ozalla
The National Human Rights Commission has called on the Federal Government to take immediate and decisive action to halt the wave of killings across parts of the country, with particular concern over the recent violence in Jos, Plateau State.
The Commission, in a statement, described the attacks as brutal and unacceptable, noting that scores of innocent lives have been lost while many others sustained injuries in the renewed violence.
Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr Tony Ojukwu, said the situation in Jos reflects a disturbing pattern of bloodshed witnessed in other states including Benue, Kaduna and Zamfara, where citizens have come under repeated attacks. He said the killings underscore a growing threat to the right to life and human dignity in the country.
Ojukwu condemned the attacks and extended condolences to families of victims, stressing that the Commission would not remain silent in the face of continued loss of lives. He urged the Federal Government to move beyond routine condemnations and ensure that those responsible are identified and prosecuted without delay.
He said the persistence of such violence points to gaps in accountability, warning that failure to bring perpetrators to justice only encourages further attacks. According to him, there is an urgent need for a stronger security response and a clear demonstration that criminal acts will not go unpunished.
The NHRC boss called on security agencies to intensify operations in affected areas, including the deployment of additional personnel to vulnerable communities, to forestall further attacks and reassure residents. He also urged authorities to carry out thorough investigations into the incidents and ensure swift prosecution of suspects.
Ojukwu stressed the need to support victims and survivors through adequate medical care, protection and compensation, noting that recovery efforts must go beyond emergency response. He acknowledged steps taken by the Plateau State Government so far but maintained that more proactive measures are required to secure lives and property.
He further pointed to deeper structural issues such as poverty, inequality and the spread of hate speech as factors fueling recurring violence, urging authorities to address these underlying challenges as part of long-term solutions.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of human rights and called for collective responsibility in safeguarding the sanctity of life, insisting that justice must be served for victims and their families.
