Jos Killings: PDP Accuses Plateau Governor Of Failing To Protect Lives

The Plateau State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the government of failing in its constitutional duty to protect the lives and welfare of citizens.

This accusation follows the killing of seven persons at a mining site in Kuru District, Jos South Local Government Area.

The party strongly condemned the attack, describing the victims as having been killed by “enemies of the state”.

The condemnation comes a day after the Nigerian Army confirmed that seven illegal miners were shot dead in the early hours of Thursday when suspected armed bandits attacked an illegal mining site at Capitex, Kuru.

Troops of Sector 6, Operation Safe Haven, said the attackers struck at about 1:00 a.m., killing seven locals before fleeing the area.

In a statement issued on Friday and signed by the PDP State Publicity Secretary, Choji Dalyop, the opposition party said the latest incident highlights the government’s “egregious failure” to safeguard lives and ensure basic security.

“We have noted with great concern and strongly condemn the tragic killing of seven innocent citizens in their prime at a mining site in Wat, Kuru District, Jos South LGA of Plateau State,” the party said, describing the incident as an act of “senseless brutality”.

According to the PDP, the recurring loss of lives underscores the deepening security crisis in the state and reflects what it termed the government’s lack of proactiveness and apparent indifference to the safety of the people it was elected to serve.

The party cited the 1999 Constitution, stressing that the protection of lives and property remains the primary responsibility of government.

However, they argued that repeated attacks and the failure to bring perpetrators to justice amount to a “severe dereliction of duty” under Section 14(2) of the Constitution.

The PDP also recalled the report of a fact-finding committee set up by Governor Caleb Mutfwang in 2025 to investigate incessant killings in the state.

According to the party, the report revealed that many of the attackers allegedly came from neighbouring states and that violence had spread across at least 420 communities.

It added that the findings indicated that thousands of people—mostly women, children and the elderly—had been displaced, with nearly 12,000 lives reportedly lost over time.

“Plateau State cannot afford to treat such atrocities as business as usual. This violence is well-coordinated, deliberate and devastating, and threatens the state’s image as the Home of Peace and Tourism,” the statement said.

The PDP demanded a transparent and impartial investigation into the Kuru killings, with findings made public; the swift prosecution of those responsible to ensure accountability and deterrence; and the development of a clear and actionable security plan to address the root causes of insecurity in the state.

“The art of rhetoric and empty condemnations alone will not suffice. The people demand action, justice and a government that prioritises human life over political power,” the party said.

The PDP said it stands in solidarity with the families of the victims and affected communities, while urging national and international stakeholders to closely monitor the renewed wave of insecurity and the human rights situation in Plateau State to ensure swift and decisive action.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army said troops remain deployed in Kuru and surrounding areas, with sustained intelligence-driven operations ongoing to track and apprehend those responsible for the attack.