From Abel Leonard, Lafia
The Zumunta Association USA Inc., a pan-Northern Nigerian diaspora group based in Washington, D.C., has strongly condemned the ongoing killings in Plateau State and other parts of Northern Nigeria. It urged the federal government to act swiftly to stop the bloodshed.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, National President Mr Sunday Bitrus described the attacks as senseless and brutal, expressing alarm at their growing frequency and scale, which have claimed numerous lives, including men, women, and children.
“This disturbing trend has become a national crisis,” the association said. “We are compelled to ask — is there a functioning government in place? Are we at war?”
The group criticised the apparent lack of effective security measures and accountability, emphasising that victims are not mere statistics. “These are human lives — lives cut short without cause, leaving behind grieving families and shattered communities,” the statement read.
The Zumunta Association called for thorough investigations to identify root causes, such as land disputes, political manipulation, religious tensions, or reprisals, and address them decisively. “The nation demands answers, and more importantly, action,” it stressed, reaffirming its commitment to non-violent conflict resolution.
“Peace cannot be achieved if the perpetrators of violence are not held accountable and if justice continues to elude the victims. Dialogue, mediation, and proactive community engagement must replace silence, neglect, and impunity,” the statement added.
The association highlighted the emotional burden on its members abroad, who face questions from their host communities about Nigeria’s recurring violence. “It is disheartening and embarrassing that we must explain why these killings continue in a country that claims to uphold democracy and rule of law,” it noted.
The Zumunta Association urged the federal government, security agencies, traditional leaders, civil society organisations, and religious institutions to prioritise protecting lives and property.
“This crisis must not be allowed to fester any further. Enough is enough,” it declared.