The fact-finding committee set up by the Plateau state government to examine incessant violent attacks across communities in the state has expressed concern over the construction of new houses and cultivation of farmlands by people said not to be indigenes and original owners of abandoned villages.
The committee, led by Major General Nicholas Rogers (rtd), was shown new houses and newly cultivated farmlands in the Tyop community within the Mangu Local Government area, earlier abandoned by their original inhabitants.
Addressing the committee during a tour of the local government area, Chairman of the Council, Hon. Emmanuel B. Mwolpun, told the committee that the new houses and newly cultivated farms were recent developments by non-indigenes of the community who had taken over the village after the original inhabitants were violently made to flee.
“Tyop, located in Mangu district, was originally inhabited by Mwaghavul natives. After the 2023 elections, conflict broke out, forcing residents to flee. Their homes were left intact, but are now reduced to rubble. Many buildings were looted, and the blocks were carefully removed to construct new houses by settlers,” the council chairman said.
Hon. Mwolpun, who expressed confidence in the committee’s capacity, said Mangu was the worst-hit area.
The constitution of this committee is timely. Seeing the strong composition of the team, I am confident the crisis can be resolved. If this committee cannot resolve it, then only the ancestors can. We have previously worked with community leaders to achieve relative peace, but the recent attacks demand lasting solutions. Our security agents will take you around the affected areas and provide you with support. We hope for a positive outcome,” he stated.
The Mangu Council Chairman also raised concerns about a growing disconnect between indigenous traditional rulers and the Ardos, who serve as leaders of Fulani groups.
“The Fulani and indigenous people once had close relationships, but in recent times, there has been a huge communication gap between their leaders,” he noted.
The committee also visited Da John Putmang Hirse, the Mishkaham Mwaghavul and President of the Mangu Local Government Traditional Council, where a town hall meeting was held.
District heads, religious and traditional leaders, Fulani representatives, youth and women leaders, and other key stakeholders were in attendance.
Commending the State Government for constituting the committee, Da Hirse urged it to approach the task with fresh perspectives.
“There have been different committees in the past, yet the killings continue. The governor’s decision to appoint competent non-indigenes is welcomed. We urge you to think outside the box, and thank you for accepting the responsibility of working for the betterment of the state.
We look forward to the implementation of your recommendations,” he said.
Speaking, the chairman of the committee, who had at a meeting with the Council boss reiterated the need for cooperation with all relevant groups to enable his group to achieve its objective, further called for the cooperation of people in affected communities to enable the government to resolve the problem.
“Your cooperation is needed to lead us in accessing affected areas, stakeholders, and victims, to identify the problem and then provide recommendations,” Major General Rogas stated.
He also reiterated the committee’s independence and integrity, assuring stakeholders of a thorough and unbiased process.
“The committee comprises individuals not from Plateau State, eliminating sentiments that might influence our findings. We will produce a decent and unbiased report that we hope the Governor will implement to bring lasting peace,” he said.
He also identified several root issues during the engagement: “We have heard from all district heads and stakeholders. The issues here include land grabbing, religious colouration, cattle rustling, reprisal attacks under false claims, criminal hijacking of conflicts, kidnapping, farm destruction, night grazing, disregard for traditional institutions, unmet promises, foreign infiltration, displacement of natives, and open grazing, among others. We are committed to looking deeper into these causes.”
He added that the committee deliberately began its fact-finding in Mangu due to its status as the current epicentre of the crisis.
The committee was constituted by Governor Caleb Mutfwang to identify both the remote and immediate causes of the violence and suggest sustainable solutions.
