The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has called for a thorough investigation and a rethink of Nigeria’s security approach.
The announcement followed the Palm Sunday attack on the Angwan Rukuba community in the Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The attack, which occurred around 8pm, left more than 20 people dead and several others injured.
After the attack, the defense headquarters placed troops on nationwide alert ahead of the Easter celebrations, assuring Nigerians of tightened security.
Speaking to journalists during the end-of-the-month briefing on Tuesday in Abuja, the director of defense media operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, assured citizens of heightened vigilance by troops during the Easter celebrations.
The National Secretary of PFN, David Bakare, who spokes with the press, described the resurgence of insecurity as “deeply troubling”, warning that the situation appears to be worsening despite earlier gains made by security agencies.
According to him, the ability of terrorists to strike within Jos city, rather than in outlying areas, raises serious concerns about the current security architecture and intelligence system.
“We were already celebrating as if we had overcome the worst,” he said, noting that the latest development was suggestive of a dangerous relapse.
“There is a need to carefully investigate what exactly happened and what is responsible for this return of insecurity,” Bakare added.
He emphasized that beyond routine condemnations and deployment of troops, authorities must undertake a comprehensive review to understand the root causes of the renewed violence.
“It is not just about sending more troops or opening military camps everywhere. There must be a rethink, a reinvestigation of what exactly is happening before we begin to respond,” he said.
Bakare asked whether the resurgence could be linked to factors such as increased funding for insurgents, political dynamics, or gaps within the nation’s security framework.
The PFN scribe asked the Federal Government and security services to pursue a comprehensive plan that went beyond reactive measures, arguing that understanding the root causes would result in more effective and long-term solutions.
He also emphasized the vulnerability of Christian communities around key religious holidays, particularly as Easter approaches.
Attempts to contact the Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Okon, were fruitless since his phone was unreachable at the time of submitting this report.
However, the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, issued a statement on Wednesday ordering a major deployment of security assets to Jos to restore peace and ensure the arrest of those responsible.
The statement, signed by Okon, further stated that in reaction to the situation, the IG sent the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Umar Nadada, to the state to assess the security situation, coordinate ongoing operations, and bolster the existing security architecture.
