By Abel Zwànke, Lafia
The Zumunta Association USA Inc., a pan-Northern Nigerian diaspora group based in Washington, D.C., has strongly condemned the ongoing spate of killings in Plateau State and other parts of Northern Nigeria, calling on the Federal Government to take immediate and decisive action to end the bloodshed.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the National President Mr. Bitrus Sunday stated that the association described the killings as senseless and brutal, expressing deep concern over the increasing frequency and scale of the attacks that have claimed the lives of scores of 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 lamented the apparent lack of effective security response and accountability from authorities, stating that the victims are more than just statistics.
“These are human lives — lives cut short without cause, leaving behind grieving families and shattered communities,” the statement read.
Zumunta Association emphasized that the violence must be investigated thoroughly, with root causes such as land disputes, political manipulation, religious tension, or reprisals identified and addressed.
“The nation demands answers, and more importantly, action,” the association stressed, while 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 group also expressed the emotional toll on its members abroad who are frequently confronted with questions from their host communities about the recurring violence in Nigeria.
“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,” the association noted.
Zumunta Association called on the Federal Government, security agencies, traditional leaders, civil society organizations, and religious institutions to prioritize the protection of lives and property.
“This crisis must not be allowed to fester any further. Enough is enough,” the association declared.
