Governor Caleb Mutfwang has raised fresh alarm over the scale of violence that has gripped Plateau State for more than two decades.
He said the state has recorded attacks on about 420 communities, leaving nearly 12,000 people dead between 2001 and May 2025.
The governor made the disclosure in Jos on Thursday at the opening session of the North Central Zonal Public Hearing on National Security, organised by the Senate Ad-hoc Committee.
According to him, the numbers are a painful reminder of how deeply insecurity has eaten into the state’s fabric.
He stressed that this is not the time for citizens to argue over which group has suffered more. In his words, “It is time to join hands and unite.”
Mutfwang, represented by Deputy Governor Josephine Piyo, explained that Plateau’s long history as the “Home of Peace and Tourism” has been overshadowed by years of violence driven by competition for land, political control, and demographic pressure.
He noted that the crisis did not emerge overnight, but has grown in complexity and intensity, with attackers becoming more coordinated and more daring.
The governor said the humanitarian and economic losses are enormous. Many farming communities have been displaced, farmlands abandoned, and entire settlements wiped out. He added that many of the attacks appear “deliberate and sustained” rather than random incidents.
The governor also touched on the issue of land grabbing, which has become a major concern for rural communities. He said displaced families often return to find their ancestral lands occupied.
He added that illegal mining is another contributor to the crisis, noting that criminal groups use proceeds from mining sites to fund weapons and drugs.
Plateau State, according to him, has attempted to curb the problem through bans and regulatory efforts, but the networks behind illegal mining remain difficult to dismantle.
Mutfwang questioned whether government at all levels has truly lived up to the constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property.
He said the pattern of killings, displacement, and occupation shows the need for stronger collaboration, better intelligence, and sustained national action.
The governor welcomed the Senate’s intervention, saying the public hearing offers an opportunity for Nigerians to speak honestly about the nation’s security challenges and to contribute useful recommendations.
He also urged residents and stakeholders to approach the discussions with sincerity and a genuine desire for peace.
Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, who also spoke at the event, described the gathering as a necessary platform to understand the roots of the insecurity troubling the country.
He said Nigeria faces a mix of threats—ranging from insurgency and banditry to farmer-herder clashes, communal violence, and widespread destruction of farmlands.
Moro added that the National Assembly is committed to pushing legislative measures that protect citizens and stabilise communities.
The public hearing continues as stakeholders present reports, personal experiences, and suggestions on how to restore lasting peace to the North Central region and the country at large.