Plateau State is notorious for violent attacks by bandits and armed militia
A fact-finding committee established to investigate the persistent attacks, killings, and destruction in Plateau State has reported that 420 communities across 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs) have been targeted between 2001 and May 2025.
The committee, chaired by Retired Maj.-Gen. Nicholas Rogers, presented its findings to Governor Caleb Mutfwang on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, in Jos, shedding light on the staggering human and economic toll of the violence.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) notes that Governor Mutfwang inaugurated the 10-member committee on May 20, 2025, tasking it with uncovering the causes of the recurring attacks and documenting the number of affected communities and individuals since 2001.
Rogers revealed that the violence claimed over 11,749 lives, with the potential for even higher unreported casualties.
“After weeks of painstaking work, engaging affected communities, liaising with security agencies, and reviewing evidence submitted to us, we arrived at sobering findings,” he stated.
“We established that 420 communities across 13 LGAs have suffered violent attacks between 2001 and May 2025. The human cost has been staggering, with 11,749 lives reported lost within the period.
These figures represent only those officially reported to us; we believe the actual number may be higher.”
The committee’s report detailed extensive damage beyond loss of life, including 35% destruction of livestock, 32.5% displacement of communities, 16.8% destruction of food supplies, 9.9% destruction of homes, and 3.4% illegal land occupation.
Rogers highlighted the profound psychological, cultural, and economic impacts on victims, noting that attackers often infiltrate from neighboring Taraba, Bauchi, Kaduna, and Nasarawa States.
He identified the root causes as a mix of criminal exploitation of the state’s natural resources, historical grievances, ethnic mistrust, and competition over land.
“The violence is coordinated, the motives are deliberate, and the consequences are devastating,” Rogers emphasized.
“Yet, within this tragedy lies an opportunity for decisive leadership, inclusive action, and transformative peace building.”
In response, Governor Mutfwang expressed gratitude to the committee and assured that the report would be thoroughly reviewed and forwarded to the Federal Government for action.
He outlined ongoing efforts to strengthen security, stating, “In anticipation of this report, we have been recruiting into Operation Rainbow, our security outfit. Between now and next week, we will send more than 1,000 operatives for proper training.”
He also emphasized non-kinetic approaches, noting, “Our Peace Building Agency has stepped up its activities, cascading them to communities because we realize the solution is not just kinetic; we must also deploy non-kinetic options if we are to get results.”
Mutfwang reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling poverty, improving infrastructure, and promoting human capital development while urging citizens to embrace peace.
“We must see ourselves as brothers and sisters, irrespective of creed or tribe. That is the only way we can build a united state,” he said.
“I appeal to leaders to always preach peace. Any leader that truly loves Plateau will not claim the capacity to cause trouble for the state. We must join hands to build and not destroy.”
NAN
