Governor Caleb Mutfwang has expressed deep concern over the persistent violence that has plagued Plateau State for more than 20 years, warning that the scale of the crisis demands urgent collective action.
Speaking in Jos on Thursday at the opening of the North Central Zonal Public Hearing on National Security, organised by the Senate Ad-hoc Committee, the governor revealed that no fewer than 420 communities across the state have been attacked between 2001 and May 2025, resulting in nearly 12,000 deaths.
Represented by Deputy Governor Josephine Piyo, Mutfwang said the statistics reflect how deeply insecurity has eroded the foundations of a state once celebrated as the “Home of Peace and Tourism.” He noted that the prolonged violence—fueled by struggles over land, political dominance, and demographic pressure—has overshadowed the state’s long-standing reputation for harmony.
He cautioned against competing narratives of victimhood, insisting that this is “a time to join hands and unite,” rather than argue over which group has suffered more.
Mutfwang also warned that the escalating attacks were not spontaneous but part of an increasingly coordinated and sophisticated pattern of violence. He said perpetrators have become “more daring and organised,” inflicting severe humanitarian and economic damage. According to him, many farming communities have been displaced, farmlands deserted, and entire villages erased in what appear to be “deliberate and sustained” assaults. Displaced families, he added, often return to discover their ancestral lands already taken over.
The governor identified illegal mining as another major contributor to insecurity. He explained that criminal networks profit from mining sites to acquire weapons and drugs. Despite government regulations and bans, he said, dismantling the complex chains behind illegal mining remains a major challenge.
Mutfwang questioned whether federal, state, and local authorities have fully met their constitutional obligation to safeguard lives and property. He called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, improved intelligence gathering, and a more coordinated national response.
He commended the Senate for convening the public hearing, describing it as an important opportunity for Nigerians to speak frankly about insecurity and offer practical solutions.
Also speaking at the event, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro noted that Nigeria is battling multiple layers of threats—from insurgency and banditry to farmer-herder conflicts, communal clashes, and the destruction of farmlands. He reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to enacting laws that will strengthen security and stabilise affected communities.
The public hearing is ongoing, with stakeholders presenting memoranda, testimonies, and recommendations aimed at restoring lasting peace to the North Central region and the country as a whole.
