By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, PLATEAU
As violence continues to engulf Plateau State, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has warned that the killings may be part of a broader economic agenda disguised as ethnic and religious conflict.
Speaking through her verified Facebook page, the Senator representing Kogi Central condemned the wave of killings in Plateau, describing it as an “unfolding genocide” driven by those seeking control of the state’s rich mineral resources.
“The killings on the Plateau are a genocide, like many others, masked as an ethnic or religious attack but likely sponsored by capitalists hungry for mineral extraction and resource control,” she stated.
Her remarks come at a time when dozens of communities in Plateau are reeling from recurrent attacks that have claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands. While much of the national focus has centred on ethnic and religious tensions, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s intervention has redirected attention to economic exploitation as a possible root cause.
She offered condolences to victims, their families, and the government of Plateau State, particularly Governor Caleb Mutfwang, while demanding urgent accountability.
“Those culpable should be brought to justice,” she said firmly.
However, the Senator was clear that arrests and prosecution alone would not solve the problem. She called on the Federal Government to adopt a comprehensive strategy that goes beyond reactionary measures.
“The government must deploy a multi-pronged approach to stop this menace,” she urged, noting that addressing insecurity must include legal reforms, economic interventions, social reorientation, and improved security intelligence.
Her comments have sparked fresh discussions over the motivations behind the crisis, with many Nigerians calling for transparency in mining operations and a deeper probe into the identities of those profiting from the instability.
As Nigeria battles multiple security challenges across its regions, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s statements shine a critical spotlight on the dangerous nexus between violence and resource control—a dynamic many say has remained in the shadows for too long.