While the reported attack in Zike community, Kimakpa, in Kwall district of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State which consumed the lives of innocent people is undeniably tragic, framing the violence solely as one-sided genocide may oversimplify a deeply rooted and complex crisis. The Plateau conflict has historically stemmed from longstanding tensions over land, identity, and resource control between indigenous farming communities and nomadic herders, which is often worsened by climate pressures, and perceived injustice for past incidents on both sides.
Rather than jump to labeling the violence as "genocide," which risks inflaming ethnic and religious divisions further, a more constructive approach would involve transparent investigations, inclusive dialogue, and addressing root causes like increasing numbers of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), poverty, and lack of adequate corporation between the locals and the security agencies.
Amplifying only one narrative risks politicizing the tragedy and undermining the nuanced and multifaceted solutions the region desperately needs. We should not give chances to merchants of insecurity to destabilize our communities. "A stitch in time saves nine"
by Isreal Hoomkwamp from Plateau