The Nigerian Army has warned that the growing trend of communities arming themselves for defence is worsening, rather than resolving, the long-running crisis in Plateau State.
Naijaonpoint reports that Chief of Civil-Military Relations, Major General M.A. Etsy-Ndagi, raised the concern during a media chat in Jos, saying community self-defence initiatives have continued to fuel reprisals and deepen mistrust among rival groups.
Plateau State has battled recurring violence since 2001, with frequent clashes between farming and herding communities leading to mass casualties and displacement.
Despite mounting pressure from various groups advocating for communities to bear arms, the Army maintained that such measures have been counterproductive.
According to Etsy-Ndagi: “Allowing communities to defend themselves hasn’t yielded positive results. Instead, it has worsened the situation.”
He described the crisis as a cycle of violence, with both farmers and herders engaging in attacks and counter-attacks. Etsy-Ndagi said the military would intensify efforts to confiscate weapons, including locally fabricated ones, from anyone found with them.
He said: “To ensure the security of lives and property, we have to ensure everyone is disarmed and nobody fabricates weapons, so as to give way to peace.”
He added that while the Army does not condone community vigilante operations, it remains committed to protecting traumatized communities and supporting efforts to restore order.
The Army chief noted the competing claims fueling the conflict: “Farmers accuse herders of destroying farms, while herders allege cattle rustling. It’s a circle of violence.”
He stressed that only disarmament, trust-building, and collaboration between residents and security agencies can break the cycle.
Calling for restraint, the senior officer urged residents to embrace peaceful coexistence and support security operations aimed at stabilising the state.
“We are committed to ending the insecurity bedevilling communities across the country. There is nothing better than peace,” the Army reiterated.
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