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The Chairman of the Special Fact-Finding Committee established by Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, to investigate the underlying causes of ongoing attacks, killings, and destruction in the state, Gen. Rogers Ibe Nicholas (Rtd), has disclosed that land grabbing, ethnic tensions, as well as conflicts between farmers and herders, along with retaliatory violence, are the primary drivers of the persistent unrest in the region.
Gen. Nicholas, a former Commander of the Operation Safe Haven task force, made this statement during a special security conference organized by the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Plateau Security in Abuja. He mentioned that his committee, after thorough discussions with residents, victims, community leaders, and traditional and religious figures in many of the areas affected by crises, concluded that the roots of the unrest are much deeper than commonly perceived.
The retired Army General emphasized that the ongoing crisis in Plateau State is a “complex web of historical grievances, ethnic tensions, land disputes, conflicts over open grazing, systemic poverty, illegal mining, youth unemployment, porous borders, and a fragile criminal justice system.”
“One of the primary factors fueling this crisis is the cycle of retaliatory attacks and farmer-herder conflicts that escalate into widespread community violence,” he remarked.
Gen. Nicholas, who shared insights based on his experience as the Operation Safe Haven Commander, stated that effective management of security in these volatile communities can be achieved if the government and security agencies focus on building trust and engaging with the community. This includes hosting town hall meetings with local and Fulani leaders, as well as implementing community-based compensation systems for incidents such as cattle rustling and crop destruction.
To ensure lasting peace returns to the state, Gen. Nicholas indicated that the fact-finding committee has recommended the formation of Peace and Security Committees in every community, led by traditional rulers and inclusive of all ethnic and religious groups.
“The committee also suggested a strict enforcement and review of the Plateau State Anti-Land Grabbing Law (2022),” he added.
Other recommendations from the Chairman include: “The establishment of designated grazing routes and ranching areas in collaboration with local authorities; strengthening the criminal justice system with harsher penalties for cattle rustling, illegal possession of firearms, and destruction of farmland; and the creation of an Interstate Joint Security Task Force to coordinate efforts with neighboring states, including Kaduna, Nasarawa, Taraba, and Bauchi, to mitigate cross-border attacks.”
Additional suggestions include the integration of local vigilante groups into the formal security framework, such as Operation Rainbow, to enhance accountability and professionalism, as well as the improvement of rural communication infrastructure to facilitate rapid response to attacks, legislative oversight, and stakeholder engagement.
What are the main causes of violence in Plateau State?
The main causes of violence in Plateau State include land grabbing, ethnic tensions, farmer-herder conflicts, systemic poverty, and a fragile criminal justice system.
What recommendations were made to address the crisis?
Recommendations include establishing Peace and Security Committees in communities, enforcing the Plateau State Anti-Land Grabbing Law, creating designated grazing routes, and forming an Interstate Joint Security Task Force.
