In a statement issued on Friday, by its Plateau State Publicity Secretary, Choji Felix Dalyop, the party said it was deeply concerned by the attack, which occurred on Wednesday.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the killing of seven persons at the illegal mining site in Wat, Kuru District of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, describing the incident as a tragic failure of the government to protect lives.
In a statement issued on Friday, by its Plateau State Publicity Secretary, Choji Felix Dalyop, the party said it was deeply concerned by the attack, which occurred on Wednesday.
The PDP described the victims as innocent citizens in their prime and blamed “enemies of the state” for the killings.
According to the party, the incident has further heightened public anger, with citizens holding the government responsible for what it termed an egregious failure to safeguard human life and ensure basic security.
“The senseless loss of life is a gloomy testament to the ongoing security crisis and the government’s lack of proactiveness and apparent indifference to the safety and welfare of the people it was elected to serve,” the statement said.
The PDP warned that continued loss of lives under the watch of the government erodes public confidence and places Nigeria’s democracy under serious threat.
It added that persistent insecurity not only deepens mistrust but also elevates systemic security threats in Plateau State, popularly known as the Home of Peace and Tourism.
Reiterating the constitutional responsibility of government, the party said the primary duty of any administration is to provide security and uphold the rule of law.
It argued that repeated incidents of unprovoked violence and the failure to bring perpetrators to justice amount to a severe dereliction of duty, as provided under Section 14(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The PDP also recalled findings from a 2025 fact-finding committee set up by Governor Caleb Mutfwang to investigate incessant killings in Plateau State.
According to the party, the committee’s report revealed that many attackers often came from neighbouring states.
The PDP noted that about 420 communities were attacked, thousands of residents, mostly women, children, and the elderly, were displaced, and nearly 12,000 lives were lost.
The party stressed that Plateau State could not continue to treat such violence as “business as usual,” describing the attacks as well-coordinated, deliberat,e and devastating.
The PDP therefore demanded a transparent and impartial investigation into the Wat mining site killings, with findings made public without delay.
It also called for the swift prosecution of those responsible to ensure accountability and deter future violence, as well as the development and communication of a clear, actionable plan to address the root causes of insecurity.
“The art of rhetoric and empty condemnations alone will not suffice,” the statement said, adding that Nigerians demand action, justice, and a government that places the value of human life above political power.
The PDP said it stands in solidarity with the families of the victims and affected communities, while urging national and international stakeholders to closely monitor the resurgence of insecurity and the human rights situation in Plateau State to ensure swift and decisive action.