A recent report by the Fact-Finding Committee on Incessant Attacks, Killings and Destruction in Plateau has revealed that at least 420 communities in the state have been attacked between 2001 and 2025. The committee, chaired by Retired Maj.-Gen. Nicholas Rogers, was inaugurated by Governor Caleb Mutfwang in May to investigate the causes of the attacks and determine the number of affected communities and persons.

The report, presented to Governor Mutfwang on Wednesday in Jos, found that the attacks were recorded across 13 Local Government Areas, resulting in the death of over 11,749 people. The committee established that the attacks were coordinated, with the perpetrators often gaining access to communities through neighboring states, including Taraba, Bauchi, Kaduna, and Nasarawa.

The report attributed the root causes of the conflicts to the infiltration of criminal elements seeking to exploit the state’s natural resources, as well as historical grievances, ethnic mistrust, and competition over land. The committee also documented widespread destruction of livelihoods, including the loss of livestock, displacement of people, and destruction of food, houses, and land.

Governor Mutfwang has assured that the report will be carefully studied and forwarded to the Federal Government for implementation. He announced plans to intensify early warning and response mechanisms to safeguard lives and property, including the recruitment of over 1,000 operatives for the state’s security outfit, Operation Rainbow.

The governor also emphasized the need for inclusive action and transformative peace building, urging citizens to eschew violence and embrace peaceful coexistence. He pledged to address poverty, improve infrastructure, and promote human capital development, recognizing that the solution to the crisis requires a multi-faceted approach.

The report’s findings highlight the severity of the crisis in Plateau State, which has been plagued by violent attacks and communal conflicts for over two decades. The state government’s efforts to address the root causes of the conflicts and promote peace building are seen as crucial steps towards restoring stability and security in the region.