Plateau Killings: ‘Enough Is Enough, We Must Respond to Terror Attacks’ — BYM President

The National President of the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), Barr. Solomon Dalyop Mwantiri, has urged youths in crisis‑prone communities, particularly Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, to defend their communities against recurring attacks.

Mwantiri made the call on Friday during the mass burial of 12 miners killed by gunmen at a mining site in the Ratoso community, Fann District, Barkin Ladi. He said persistent attacks and what he described as the failure of government and security agencies to protect residents had left communities with limited options.

Addressing mourners, including bereaved families, community leaders, clergy, and political figures, the BYM president said the frequent burial of young people had become unacceptable and warned that continued silence from authorities could embolden attackers.

He described the slain miners as self‑reliant young men who were supporting their families before being killed. According to him, no official condolences were extended to the affected communities, forcing residents to rely on themselves in their grief.

Mwantiri called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Plateau State governor, the chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government, and security agencies to take decisive action, declaring that the situation must end. He said communities had been “pushed to the wall” and would no longer tolerate the violence.

He further stated that if government and security agencies failed to act, local youths might be compelled to defend themselves in order to survive. While expressing hope that authorities would intervene, he warned that continued inaction could escalate tensions.

The BYM president also appealed to religious leaders and politicians to set aside political differences and unite to address the security crisis, noting that attackers did not discriminate based on political affiliation.

He suggested that community leaders and clergy should lead peaceful actions to draw national and international attention to the plight of affected areas, stressing that the moment required unity rather than political calculations.

Mwantiri also criticized what he described as unequal responses to violence, alleging that attacks affecting other groups often attracted faster security and political attention.

In his concluding remarks, he appealed to President Donald Trump to expedite any support aimed at helping Nigeria dismantle terrorist enclaves, particularly on the Plateau, warning that continued delays could further endanger lives.