Crisis Driven By Land Grabbing, Politically Motivated – Plateau Elders Tell Tinubu

Elders of Plateau State have told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that the lingering crisis in the state is rooted in land grabbing and politically motivated attacks.

The elders appealed to the president to take decisive action to end the persistent wave of violence in the state, emphasising that the crisis goes beyond farmer-herder clashes.

Former Governor Jonah Jang, who spoke on behalf of Plateau State elders during the president’s visit, expressed appreciation for Tinubu’s visit, describing it as a strong demonstration of leadership and compassion following the recent killings in Angwan Rukuba and other communities.

According to Jang, “Despite years of interventions by successive administrations, the security situation in Plateau has worsened. Over 160 communities have been destroyed and occupied by armed groups, with thousands of residents displaced from their ancestral homes.”

He opined that the lack of accountability in handling suspects has led to the continuous attacks being experienced in the state, saying that cases often lose momentum after being transferred, thereby deepening the sense of injustice among victims.

The elders urged the federal government to move beyond reactive responses and adopt proactive, intelligence-driven security strategies, including increased deployment of personnel and better coordination among security agencies.

They also called for the recruitment of local forest guards who understand the terrain, as well as a properly structured state police system that allows autonomy rather than federal control.

Jang rejected the popular narrative of farmer-herder conflict in the state, insisting that the violence is largely driven by expansionist motives, land grabbing, and a mix of political and religious factors.

The elders appealed for the establishment of a special intervention fund to rebuild destroyed communities and facilitate the safe return of displaced persons to their ancestral homes.

Despite the challenges, Plateau leaders reaffirmed their commitment to peace, unity, and collaboration with the federal government to restore lasting stability in the state.