By Amofokhai Williams
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has secured a commitment from political, traditional and community leaders in Plateau State to pursue lasting peace, following a high-level interactive session at the State House, Abuja.
The meeting, attended by a 32-member delegation led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, was convened in response to recurring violence in the state, including the March 29 attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area.
As part of immediate relief measures, the President approved N2 billion to support victims of the attack, according to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, who made the announcement during the session.
Addressing stakeholders, Tinubu urged leaders across all divides to return home with renewed resolve to end the cycle of violence, stressing that peace must be anchored on tolerance, justice and collective responsibility.
“No protocols, no hindrances, we are here to speak our minds and find a permanent solution… Everybody here is seeking peace. How do we chart our path to that peace?” the President said.
He called on the delegation to review previous government White Papers on security crises and propose practical, implementable solutions for federal consideration, noting that past recommendations must be revisited and enforced.
Tinubu also warned against the role of provocateurs in fuelling conflict, urging leaders to identify and expose individuals inciting violence.
“We must stop the situation where people are recruited to instigate tribal conflict and killings,” he said, adding that enduring peace is necessary to prevent further loss of lives and livelihoods.
The President emphasised that Plateau, historically known for its peaceful coexistence, must return to its core values of unity and inclusiveness, urging leaders to ensure that all residents feel a sense of belonging regardless of ethnic or religious background.
He further tasked the state government with mobilising influential stakeholders across sectors to drive reconciliation efforts and promote harmony.
In his remarks, Governor Mutfwang expressed appreciation for the President’s intervention, describing the meeting as a turning point in efforts to resolve the state’s long-standing security challenges.
He noted that the gathering marked the first time all former governors of Plateau State had come together to discuss a unified approach to peacebuilding, pledging that the renewed collaboration would help bridge longstanding divisions.
“Our coming here today shows that there is a renewed spirit on the Plateau… we are determined more than ever to rise above all divides and build a state we can all be proud of,” he said.
The governor assured the President of the state’s commitment to sustaining the momentum, adding that efforts would be intensified to transform conflict into economic opportunity and lift communities out of poverty.
Also speaking, the Gbong Gwon Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, commended Tinubu’s leadership and called for additional security measures, including increased troop deployment and installation of surveillance systems to curb violence.
He also advocated the creation of state police as a long-term solution to insecurity, while urging federal support for the return of internally displaced persons to their ancestral homes.
Stakeholders at the meeting identified key drivers of the crisis, including issues of indigeneship, religion, ethnicity and farmer-herder conflicts, pledging to work collectively to address them.
Youth representatives from both Christian and Muslim communities also expressed readiness to collaborate in promoting peace and supporting the state government’s initiatives.
The meeting, which lasted about three hours, ended with a consensus on the need for sincerity, enforcement of the rule of law and inclusive governance as essential conditions for achieving lasting peace in Plateau State.
