President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has secured a firm 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, which brought together a 32-member delegation led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, marked a renewed push to end the cycle of violence that has plagued the state, particularly after the March 29 attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North.
As part of immediate intervention measures, the Federal Government approved N2 billion in relief support for victims of the attack, underscoring its commitment to humanitarian response and recovery efforts.
Addressing stakeholders during the nearly three-hour session, Tinubu urged leaders to return home with a renewed sense of responsibility, stressing that peace must be built on tolerance, justice and inclusive governance.
“No protocols, no hindrances… we are here to find a permanent solution to recurring conflict and chaos,” the President said, calling for honest dialogue and collective action.
He directed the delegation to revisit past government White Papers on security crises and produce practical, implementable recommendations, noting that previous efforts must now translate into decisive action.
Tinubu also warned against the role of “agent provocateurs” in fuelling violence, urging leaders to identify and expose those responsible for instigating conflicts.
“We must stop the situation where people are recruited to instigate tribal conflict and killings,” he said, adding that enduring peace is critical to preventing further loss of lives and livelihoods.
The President emphasised that Plateau State, once known for its peaceful coexistence, must reclaim its identity by fostering unity across ethnic and religious lines.
He further charged the state government to leverage its pool of experienced leaders to drive reconciliation and ensure that fairness, tolerance and integration become central to governance.
In his response, Governor Mutfwang described the meeting as a turning point, noting that it was the first time all former governors of the state had convened to address the crisis collectively.
“Our coming here today shows that there is a renewed spirit on the Plateau… we are determined more than ever to rise above divisions and build a state we can all be proud of,” he said.
He pledged the full support of the state’s leadership for the President’s peace initiative, adding that efforts would be intensified to transform conflict into economic opportunity and restore lost development.
Also speaking, the Gbong Gwon Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, commended Tinubu’s intervention and called for additional security measures, including deployment of more troops and installation of surveillance systems.
He also advocated the creation of state police as a long-term solution to insecurity and urged federal support for the return of internally displaced persons to their ancestral homes ahead of the rainy season.
Participants at the meeting identified key drivers of the crisis, including indigeneship disputes, religious and ethnic tensions, 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 sustaining peace, while lawmakers stressed the need for strict enforcement of the rule of law to hold perpetrators accountable.
The session ended with a shared resolve among stakeholders to pursue lasting peace through sincerity, cooperation and coordinated leadership, as the Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to stabilising Plateau State and supporting its long-term development.
