Title: Where Is Our Right to Live Without Fear?A Reflection on the Killing of 51 People in Plateau State

Ayuba Rebecca Roseline, Bauchi

The news of 51 people murdered in Plateau State weighs heavily on our collective conscience. It forces us to pause and ask: do we still have the right to live freely without fear in our country, Nigeria? In a nation that prides itself on unity, democracy, and the rule of law, this act of violence feels like a betrayal of everything we stand for.

The attack on Zikke and Kimakpa villages in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State is a disturbing reminder of the persistent violence and insecurity plaguing our nation. Armed men, suspected to be cattle herders, invaded these communities, killing residents, razing homes, and looting property. This senseless brutality has left families devastated, dreams destroyed, and communities displaced.

We must not normalize such violence. No one has the right to take another person’s life. When individuals take the law into their own hands, often driven by ethnic profiling and misinformation, what results is not justice—it is anarchy. We lose not only lives, but also our shared humanity.

There is a dangerous myth fueling needless bloodshed—that every community is a threat, and every neighbour a danger to peace. This is false, reckless, and must be rejected. Nigeria’s rich diversity is our strength, not a weakness to be exploited.

The Nigerian Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to life, freedom of movement, and the right to live without fear. These rights are not privileges; they are fundamental and must be protected.

This is a call for true leadership. The government must act decisively to investigate these killings and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. More importantly, we must begin a national reflection to address the root causes of violence: ignorance, mistrust, and the lack of national orientation.

We must rebuild our society, promote tolerance, and foster dialogue across ethnic and regional divides. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and no one should live in fear because of where they come from. Fifty-one lives have been lost. We owe them more than outrage—we owe them action, compassion, and a renewed promise that hatred will not triumph. Let us choose justice, unity, and peace. The government must investigate and prosecute those responsible, promote national dialogue to foster understanding, address security failures with effective measures, and uphold the constitutional rights of all citizens. Let us strive for a Nigeria where peace reigns, and our diversity is celebrated, not used to divide us.

Ayuba Rebecca Roseline, writes from Mass communication department, Abubakar Tatari Ali polytechnic Bauchi, can be reach via kadikirebecca@gmail.comor 08088464358.