The relentless orgy of killings and pillage in Plateau State should perturb the federal and state governments. A report by The PUNCH revealing that no fewer than 421 persons were killed between April 17, and October 24 signposts a collapse of effective governance and failure of leadership at all levels. President Bola Tinubu and the security agencies should redouble their efforts and restore peace to Plateau and every other part of Nigeria.

Anarchy reigns in the “Home of Peace and Tourism.” In parts of the state, including the capital, Jos, daily existence has become unacceptably short, brutish, and nasty. In the rural areas, starved of government presence, security, and effective communication, insecurity is worse.

A conflation of factors stokes the conflicts, competition for land and land grabbing, Fulani herdsmen rapine, ethnic and sectarian hostility, and partisanship by federal political and security actors.

For decades, the indigenous ethnic nationalities and farmers have been in conflict with Fulani herdsmen and Hausa-speaking settlers; with a majority of the locals being Christians and a majority of the settlers Muslims, the clashes assume a religious dimension. Over the years, federal administrations and the security forces have been credibly accused of open and covert collusion with the settler element and militia.

The state is consequently a vast killing field. The PUNCH reported that 346 persons were killed in eight local government areas of the state between April 17 and July 10, 2023, while about 18,751 Internally Displaced Persons were scattered in 14 camps. About 75 more persons died in violent attacks between July 10, and October 24.

In Mangu LGA alone, over 200 persons were murdered. It is a long-running bloodbath. Human Rights Watch said over 1,000 lives were lost in the communal ‘war’ of September 2001 in Jos; there have been other outbreaks in Wase, Langtang, Shendam, Mikang, Barkin Ladi, Qua’an Pan, and Riyom. HRW said between 2,000 and 3,000 persons were killed between 2001 and May 2004. Another outbreak claimed about 761 lives in 2008.

A 2016 Fund for Peace study noted that apart from disrupting farming, commerce, transportation and social services, and activities, the conflicts take a heavy toll on women, and girls, who are subjected to rape, torture, and kidnapping. Once a major destination for tourism, receiving hundreds of international and in-country visitors all year-round, Plateau State now features regularly on the travel advisories of foreign countries to their nationals as a place to avoid.

There should be an even-handed federal security response. Governor Caleb Mutfwang should as a matter of urgency, establish a formidable security agency, well-funded, armed, and equipped. It must be non-partisan, and collaborate with federal agencies, communities, youths, local vigilance outfits, farmers, and hunters.

Adoption of the joint security and civilian vigilante model incorporating youths and the diverse groups in the state will help. A fresh, non-partisan attempt should be made to unravel the root causes of the conflicts and find lasting solutions. Previous enquires suffered from partisan politicking by federal officials, thereby failing to deliver meaningful impact.

Insecurity is ruining Nigeria, and no region is safe anymore. The federal and state governments should confront the menace squarely.

Tinubu, unlike his immediate predecessor, must provide strong leadership. When criminals – no matter their political, ethnic, or religious leaning – brazenly slaughter other Nigerians, the President should act beyond issuing press statements. Leadership entails finding time to visit distressed communities, on-the-spot assessment and taking decisive action.

The carnage in Plateau State has persisted for too long; Tinubu and Muftwang must stop it.

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