Violence in Plateau State is once again drawing national attention, and the Nigeria chapter of the International Human Rights Commission – Relief Fund Trust is raising urgent concerns.
The group says the situation has reached a critical point, calling on authorities to act with fairness, accountability, and a clear sense of responsibility to all citizens.
In a statement issued by Country Director Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu, the organisation described the continued attacks in Jos and surrounding communities as deeply troubling.
According to the commission, Plateau remains a fragile region where even small triggers can escalate into wider unrest if not handled carefully.
At the heart of its concern is what it describes as an imbalance in how incidents are addressed.
“There is an increasing perception of selective response to attacks. While some communities receive swift attention and condemnation, others suffer heavy losses without adequate response, support, or prosecution of perpetrators,” the statement said.
This perceived inconsistency, the group warned, is dangerous. It creates distrust and fuels division, especially in a region already dealing with deep sensitivities.
It went further to stress that the situation raises “serious concerns about fairness and equality before the law,” urging the government to respond without bias.
“The government must remain fair, inclusive, and neutral. Its constitutional and moral duty is to protect all citizens regardless of religion, ethnicity, or social status,” the group added.
Beyond the immediate crisis, the commission pointed to a larger issue public trust. When citizens begin to feel that justice is uneven, confidence in institutions weakens, and tensions grow.
The statement also drew lessons from Nigeria’s past conflicts, including the Yelwan Shendam crisis and unrest in cities like Lagos and Kano. According to the IHRC, history shows a clear pattern: when injustice is ignored, violence often returns in cycles.
“These past events clearly show how unresolved grievances and lack of justice can lead to deadly cycles of violence and revenge. This must not be allowed to happen again,” it warned.
Security gaps were another major concern. The group highlighted incidents occurring close to security locations, a shortage of personnel in high-risk areas, and the unchecked spread of inflammatory rhetoric.
“These issues continue to pose a serious threat to peace and public safety,” the statement said.
It outlined several pressing challenges, including unequal government response, slow judicial processes, weak protection for vulnerable communities, and failure to tackle hate speech effectively.
For the IHRC, the solution is clear: justice must not only exist—it must be visible and consistent.
The organisation emphasized that justice must be “genuine, timely, impartial, and transparent,” adding that “any society that tolerates injustice is laying the foundation for lasting conflict.”
It then called on all key stakeholders from the Federal Government to local leaders—to take decisive action.
“They must ensure protection for all citizens without discrimination, prosecute all perpetrators, strengthen security in vulnerable areas, and curb all forms of incitement and hate speech,” the statement urged.
The message to political leaders was equally direct.
“Political leaders must understand that bias, discrimination, or silence in times of conflict will ultimately harm their future ambitions. Leadership is not about tribe, religion, or region, it is a national responsibility,” it said.
The group also reminded aspiring leaders that Nigerians are watching closely.
“Nigerians will judge leaders not just by their words, but by their actions. History does not forget, and what is done today will shape public trust tomorrow,” the statement noted.
Ultimately, the commission’s warning is simple but firm: Nigeria cannot afford to repeat past mistakes.
“Sustainable peace can only be achieved through justice, fairness, accountability, and good leadership. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done,” the statement added.
