By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on leaders in Plateau State to prioritise peace and reconciliation, warning that continued violence in the state must come to a permanent end.
Speaking during an interactive session with stakeholders at the State House in Abuja, the President urged political, traditional, and community leaders to return home with renewed commitment to resolving the deep-rooted crises affecting the state.
“No protocols, no hindrances, we are here to speak our minds and find a permanent solution to a recurring conflict and chaos… everybody here is seeking peace. How do we chart our path to that peace?” Tinubu said.
The President emphasised tolerance and unity as critical pathways to stability, noting that leaders must take responsibility in addressing the triggers of violence, including ethnic and religious divisions.
The development was contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on April 29, 2026.
During the meeting, which lasted about three hours, stakeholders identified indigeneship, religion, ethnicity, and farmer-herder clashes as key drivers of past conflicts. They collectively pledged to work towards restoring lasting peace in the state.
As part of immediate federal intervention, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Mohammed Dorro, announced the approval of ₦2 billion for victims of the March 29 attack in Angwa Rukuba, Jos.
Tinubu further directed state leaders to revisit previous government White Papers on security crises and propose practical, implementable solutions for federal consideration.
“To stop creating orphans, widows and widowers, there must be an enduring peace in the state,” the President added.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who led the delegation, described the meeting as a turning point, noting that it was the first time former governors of the state gathered collectively to address the crisis.
“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.
Traditional leaders, including the Gbong Gwon Jos, also called for increased security presence and the deployment of surveillance infrastructure, while urging the Federal Government to support the return of internally displaced persons to their communities.
The stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to peacebuilding, stressing that sincerity and collective responsibility would be essential in ending the cycle of
violence in Plateau State.
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