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…Mutfwang seeks end to killings
From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has lamented that more than 80,000 people have been displaced while 18, 000 homes destroyed in the orgy of violence in Plateau state.
The speaker spoke as Governor Caleb Mutfwang called for lasting solutions to the perennial crisis in the state.
Speaking at one day high-level dialogue aimed at finding lasting solutions to the protracted security crisis in Plateau and other parts of the country on Tuesday, the speaker described the wanton destruction of lives and property as devastating.
He said that years of internecine strife on the Plateau has left the state inn perpetual turmoil with residents living in fear of attack and reprisals.
Abbas described the situation in the state as dire.
Abass, who was represented by member representing Shendam, Mikang and Qua’an Pan Federal Constituency, John Dafa’an said Plateau has witnessed sustained violence since 2001, with thousands killed in attacks across several local government areas.
He listed Jos North, Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Jos South among the worst-hit areas, adding that recent attacks between December 2023 and April 2024 further worsened the situation.
The speaker specifically recalled the Christmas Eve attacks across 17 communities, which left over 200 persons dead.
According to him, “Over 18,000 houses, places of worship and farmlands have been destroyed, while about 400 communities have been dislocated, leaving some 80,000 internally displaced persons.”
The Speaker warned against attributing the crisis to simplistic causes, noting that the violence is driven by a mix of historical grievances, land disputes, economic marginalisation, climate-related pressures and the activities of criminal elements.
He assured that the 10th House of Representatives would pursue legislative measures to address the crisis, including reviewing laws on security, land use and conflict resolution.
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Abass also said the National Assembly would prioritise funding in the 2026 supplementary and 2027 budgets for the reconstruction of affected communities, establishment of trauma centres and deployment of modern security infrastructure.
While calling for a shift from reactive to proactive security strategies through improved intelligence gathering, the speaker advocated early warning systems, community policing and decisive action to nip potential to threaten in the bud.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang speaking said his administration had taken steps to strengthen security, including revamping Operation Rainbow and deploying technology-driven surveillance systems.
Mutfwang, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Josephine Piyo , said the state has provided operational vehicles to security agencies on the state while over 300 others had been refurbished to improve response capacity, while non-kinetic measures such as dialogue and reconciliation were being prioritised.
He however admitted that despite these efforts, the attacks still persist in some rural communities, stressing the need for collective action and inclusive solutions.
He asked the committee to come out with workable solutions to end the spate of killings in the state.
Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Hon. (Dr.) Wale Hammed,, had earlier, said the dialogue was convened to address growing insecurity in Plateau and chart a sustainable path to peace.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising Plateau through security deployments and humanitarian interventions.
Hammed, however, stressed that “peace cannot be achieved by guns alone,” calling for the involvement of traditional rulers, religious leaders, women, youth and communities in peacebuilding efforts.
The conference, themed “Restoring Stability and Unity: A Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Security in Plateau State and Beyond,” brought together stakeholders from the state across the country.
The participants called for frank discussions and practical solutions, warning against a repeat of past conferences whose recommendations were never implemented.
Speakers after speakers expressed optimism that the current collaboration between the federal government, members of the legislature at federal and state levels as well Plateau State Government would translate into lasting peace in the state.
