“Enough of the Bloodshed”: MACBAN Demands Prosecution of Leaders Fueling Plateau’s Cycle of Violence

The fragile peace in Plateau State has been shattered once again, leaving a trail of grief and a chorus of demands for accountability. Following a gruesome assault on the Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has come forward with a stinging indictment—not just of the killers, but of the influential figures whose words provide the “oxygen” for such atrocities.

The Sunday attack, which saw suspected bandits storm a popular local bar with gunfire and machetes, resulted in the tragic death of approximately 28 people. In the wake of this carnage, MACBAN is pointing a finger at a familiar culprit: the inflammatory rhetoric of religious and community leaders.

In a Tuesday statement that balanced mourning with a demand for state action, MACBAN President Baba Othman-Ngelzarma characterized the massacre as part of a destructive pattern that the nation can no longer afford to ignore.

“MACBAN views with grave concern the recurring cycle of violence in Plateau, which continues to undermine peaceful coexistence and threaten national unity,” Othman-Ngelzarma stated.

The President of the association was particularly pointed in his critique of “influencers” and clerics who use their platforms to deepen communal rifts rather than bridge them. He argued that the bloodshed in the streets is often preceded by the “poison” spread from pulpits and social media pages.

“We are particularly disturbed by the alleged role played by some religious leaders and influencers. Instead of promoting peace and tolerance, they have chosen to fan the embers of division through reckless and inflammatory rhetoric,” he said. “Such actions are irresponsible, dangerous, and contribute directly to the escalation of violence and intolerance in our communities.”

MACBAN’s position is clear: the shooters and the inciters are two sides of the same coin. Othman-Ngelzarma urged security agencies to move beyond standard investigations and begin holding those who instigate violence through speech legally responsible.

He emphasized that without a clear legal deterrent, the cycle of “attack and retaliation” will continue to spin out of control.

“Those responsible for instigating violence, whether through direct action or inciting statements, must be identified, investigated, and brought to justice without fear or favour. Impunity only emboldens further violence,” he added.

Beyond prosecution, MACBAN is advocating for a more proactive security posture in Plateau State. The association suggests that the state must invest heavily in intelligence gathering and a permanent security presence in high-risk “flashpoint” communities to prevent bandits from striking with such ease.

Othman-Ngelzarma also extended an olive branch, stating that the association is prepared to work alongside the government and civil society to find a lasting solution to the ethnic and religious tensions that have long plagued the Middle Belt.

The MACBAN Peace Pledge:

– Dialogue over Division: Calling on traditional and religious leaders to exercise restraint.

– Proactive Policing:** Strengthening intelligence to stop attacks before they happen.

– Inclusive Collaboration: “We stand ready to collaborate with all stakeholders, government, civil society, religious institutions, and community leaders to restore lasting peace in Plateau and across Nigeria.”

The statement concluded with a stark, urgent plea for the government to finally put a stop to the carnage that has defined life in Plateau for too long.

“The time for decisive action is now. Enough of the bloodshed.