A recent report by the Fact‑Finding Committee on Incessant Attacks, Killings and Destruction in Plateau reveals that at least 420 communities in the state were attacked between 2001 and 2025. Chaired by Retired Maj‑Gen. Nicholas Rogers, the committee was inaugurated by Governor Caleb Mutfwang in May to investigate the causes of the attacks and to determine the number of affected communities and persons. Presented to Governor Mutfwang on Wednesday in Jos, the report shows that the attacks occurred across 13 Local Government Areas and resulted in the death of more than 11,749 people.
The committee found that the attacks were coordinated, with perpetrators often gaining access to communities through neighboring states such as Taraba, Bauchi, Kaduna and Nasarawa. It 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 report also documented widespread destruction of livelihoods, including loss of livestock, displacement of people, and the 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 emphasized the need for inclusive action and transformative peacebuilding, urging citizens to eschew violence and embrace peaceful coexistence. He pledged to address poverty, improve infrastructure and promote human‑capital development, recognizing that a multi‑faceted approach is required to resolve the crisis.
The 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 peacebuilding are seen as crucial steps toward restoring stability and security in the region.
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