The North Central Governors’ Forum (NCGF) has called on the Federal Government to thoroughly investigate the persistent killings in Plateau State to achieve lasting peace. Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, the forum’s chairman, made this appeal during a condolence visit to Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, regarding the recent attacks on 23 communities. Governor Sule labeled the attacks as acts of terrorism and urged the use of technology to identify and curb the perpetrators in the North Central region,Daily Trust reports.
Emphasizing the prolonged nature of the attacks, he stressed the need for various stakeholders to address the root causes and find a sustainable solution.
Governor Sule expressed concern over the deteriorating situation on the Plateau, recalling the historical periods of peace and unity. He urged Governor Mutfwang to investigate the root causes courageously, emphasizing that the region cannot continue to endure such violence. The Nasarawa governor also appealed to the Federal Government to intervene in resolving the crisis, highlighting the urgency of the matter.
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Additionally, Governor Sule disclosed plans by the North Central governors’ forum to organize a security and economic summit aimed at devising sustainable solutions to the challenges confronting the region. Accompanied by Governors Hyacinth Alia of Benue and Umar Bago of Niger, he called for unity among the North Central states to safeguard their common destiny and advocated for agricultural investments to harness the region’s abundant natural resources.
In a related development, the president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yakubu Maikyau, attributed the recent Plateau killings to intelligence failures. In a New Year message, he called on President Bola Tinubu to prioritize the security of lives and property in 2024, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach and strategic investments in security.
Leaders and elders from the Southern and Middle Belt zones, under the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), also urged President Tinubu to address the killings in the North. In an open letter titled ‘Killings in the Middle Belt and Threat to Nigeria’s Continued Corporate Existence: The Buck Stops with You,’ they called for an honest security inquiry, the closure of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps, and the enforcement of the immediate return and resettlement of displaced communities in their ancestral homes. The leaders also emphasized the need for urgent steps to restructure Nigeria in line with true federalism.
