Dariye: Plateau’s security challenges multidimensional

Former Plateau State Governor and Chairman of the Strategic Committee on the Crises in the State, Senator Joshua Dariye, says the two decades of security crises bedeviling the state are multidimensional and require holistic solutions. Dariye’s committee was established after state’s high-level engagement with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to investigate the lingering crises and find […]

Former Plateau State Governor and Chairman of the Strategic Committee on the Crises in the State, Senator Joshua Dariye, says the two decades of security crises bedeviling the state are multidimensional and require holistic solutions.

Dariye’s committee was established after state’s high-level engagement with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to investigate the lingering crises and find solutions in the state.

Submitting his report to Governor Caleb Mutfwang on Monday at the Old Government House, Rayfield, Jos, Dariye explained that the committee’s assignment extended beyond administrative responsibility, touching directly on the protection of lives, the safety of communities, and the pursuit of enduring peace across the state.

He disclosed that the committee produced a comprehensive two-volume report containing detailed analyses, key findings, implementation frameworks, and practical recommendations for government action.

“The central message of this report is that the peace and security challenges facing Plateau State are multidimensional, historical, layered, and dynamic. Consequently, the increasing insecurity in the state cannot be attributed to a single factor.”

The committee further noted that Plateau possesses numerous reports, policy documents, gazettes, peace initiatives, and recommendations, but that the major challenge has remained inadequate implementation, weak institutional support, inconsistent follow-up, personnel discontinuity, and insufficient accountability.

The report recommends a comprehensive stabilization and recovery framework that extends beyond military responses to include the protection of vulnerable communities, support for internally displaced persons, reconstruction of affected settlements, livelihood restoration, trauma healing, youth empowerment, women’s participation, interfaith collaboration, traditional conflict mediation, and education.

“Plateau State must be deliberate in telling its own story, correcting distorted narratives, showcasing government efforts, and transforming its image from one defined by conflict and crisis to one anchored on peace, resilience, justice, hospitality, investment, tourism, and opportunity.”

Speaking after receiving the report, Governor Mutfwang, described the document as a strategic roadmap that will guide informed dialogue and practical interventions toward addressing the complex security and socio-political challenges confronting Plateau State.

Governor Mutfwang said President Tinubu demonstrated genuine concern for Plateau State during the delegation’s visit, noting that the President specifically directed the state to intensify efforts toward restoring enduring peace.

“When we visited Mr. President, it was evident that he has a genuine concern for Plateau State. That is why he gave us clear marching orders to reignite and reinvigorate the search for lasting peace on the Plateau,” the governor stated.

The Governor explained that widespread misrepresentation of the purpose of the presidential engagement in some sections necessitated the establishment of the committee to provide factual clarity and foster a common understanding of the issues affecting the state.

The governor announced that the report would be presented to a broader Plateau stakeholders’ assembly to ensure wider participation and ownership of the peace-building process.

“Those who accompanied us to the Presidential Villa do not represent the entirety of Plateau. Many who were unable to make the trip also have valuable perspectives that deserve to be heard. We must therefore create an enabling environment where every interest group has a voice at the discussion table,” he emphasized.

“We will discover that these issues are not new. We must sustain the conversation and continue working together to develop better and more enduring solutions for the future,” the governor said.

He reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to building lasting peace through inclusive dialogue, institutional reforms, and strengthened collaboration with the Federal Government.