The Senate has instructed the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the recent killings in Anguwan Rukuba, located in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, where at least 28 people were reportedly killed.
Lawmakers also called for those responsible for the attacks to be arrested and prosecuted. In addition, the upper chamber resolved to send a high-level delegation, led by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to the affected communities to sympathise with victims and residents of Plateau State.
These resolutions followed a motion presented on Tuesday by Senator Diket Plang (Plateau Central) and Senator Dachung Mwadkon (Plateau North), who raised alarm over the worsening security situation in Kanam and Jos North Local Government Areas.
While leading the debate, Plang expressed concern that Plateau State, once regarded as the “Home of Peace and Tourism,” is witnessing a renewed wave of violence after a period of relative stability.
He referenced recent attacks in Kanam Local Government Area earlier in March, as well as the deadly assault in Anguwan Rukuba on March 29, 2026, which occurred while residents were going about their normal activities.
According to him, the attacks appeared to be coordinated and deliberately targeted civilians in densely populated communities, heightening fears of escalating insecurity.
The senator also mentioned a separate incident in the Garga area of Kanam, where a joint security patrol team was ambushed, leading to casualties among security operatives.
“Worthy of note is the fact that one of the challenges faced by security agencies is inadequate personnel, as the current data show a ratio of one policeman to 650 citizens, which is in opposition to the recommended United Nations standard. This needs to be escalated as a matter of urgency,” he said.
Also contributing, Senator Simon Lalong (Plateau South) recalled experiencing similar violence during his tenure as governor, stating, ” When I was governor, it happened like that. Just within fifty yards, several people were killed. This time it was on Palm Sunday.”
Lawmakers voiced concern over the increasingly complex nature of the crisis, pointing out its economic, ethnic, and religious dimensions.
They warned that the continued violence is forcing communities to flee, disrupting farming activities, and threatening food security.
The Senate stressed that protecting lives and property remains the primary responsibility of government, urging security agencies to take more proactive steps, including establishing permanent operational bases in high-risk areas and strengthening intelligence gathering and aerial surveillance to track and dismantle criminal hideouts.
The chamber also called for increased recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force and the military to address manpower shortages.
As part of its resolutions, the Senate observed a minute of silence in honour of the victims and urged the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to provide relief materials such as food, medical supplies, and shelter for displaced persons.
