Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged firm action against individuals responsible for fueling recurring violence in Plateau State, warning that the Federal Government will deploy its full authority once those behind the attacks are identified.
The President issued the warning on Tuesday night during a high-level meeting at the Presidential Villa with Plateau stakeholders, including Governor Caleb Mutfwang and all living former governors of the state. The closed-door session, which lasted several hours, focused on finding lasting solutions to the ongoing security crisis.
Addressing the gathering, Tinubu stressed the importance of identifying those responsible for instigating violence, assuring that security agencies are ready to act on credible intelligence.
“If you identify and you know the name of troublemakers, agents or provocateurs who want to continue killing or instigate killing, let us know.
“We will use the instrument of office to deal with them,” Tinubu said.
Beyond enforcement, the President endorsed the formation of a new peace committee comprising former governors of Plateau State. He directed them to work collectively to review past reports and develop actionable recommendations.
“Call one another. Ignore the Governor’s Committee if you have to, or incorporate them. Take that white paper, go through it among yourselves and agree to implement it.
“If the ones you have chosen before now are not working, you have to mix and amend membership.
“Forget those committees you mentioned to me, if it’s not working, it’s not working. Consider this group as the committee until we find a lasting solution,” he said.
Tinubu also called for the restructuring or dissolution of inactive committees, emphasizing the need for a more effective and unified approach to peacebuilding in the state.
On security reforms, the President reiterated his support for the establishment of state police, describing it as a crucial step toward addressing local security challenges.
“Through the legislators who are here, we are going to work together to establish state police on a national scale.
“I believe that once we have a state police, enforcement of laws will take care of some of these problems for us.
“We must stop creating widows, widowers and orphans. There must be peace.”
He further urged greater inclusion of non-indigenes in governance as part of efforts to build trust and reduce tensions, adding that the Federal Government is prepared to support public awareness campaigns against discrimination and violence.
In his remarks, Governor Caleb Mutfwang described the meeting as a significant milestone, highlighting the unprecedented gathering of former governors.
“The coming together of the former governors has never happened before.
“This is the first time it is happening, and I believe that is a step we can build upon.
“Since we have closed the political space, I am sure some of the issues that have been politicised have been narrowed out, and we will be able to move together as brothers.”
The meeting follows a series of engagements between the President and Plateau stakeholders, including his visit to Jos after the Palm Sunday killings in Angwan Rukuba.
Plateau State has experienced recurring cycles of violence over the years, particularly in areas such as Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Mangu, and Bassa, with tensions often linked to ethno-religious and farmer-herder conflicts.
