Tinubu Administration Intensifies Plateau Peace Efforts Amid Rising Insecurity.

Tinubu Administration Intensifies Plateau Peace Efforts Amid Rising Insecurity

Plateau State, a region too often scarred by violent conflicts and insecurity, is now squarely in the spotlight of President Bola Tinubu’s national security agenda. Why the intensified focus? His administration and political allies clearly recognize that peace here isn’t just a local concern, it’s crucial for stabilizing Nigeria’s North-central and beyond, where escalating violence has become a severe challenge. Senate President Godswill Akpabio, representing President Tinubu at a recent Jos Polo Field rally, didn’t mince words. He told thousands of All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters, and many who’d just defected from opposition parties, that the government is determined to end Plateau’s long cycle of bloodshed. “Too many lives have been lost, too many homes destroyed,” Akpabio declared, rallying for unity under the APC to usher in peace and progress. This political shift, marked by high-profile defections from parties like the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party, and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), really reshapes Plateau’s political landscape, strengthening APC’s hand as the 2027 general elections approach. This indicates a broader strategy where political consolidation and security go hand in hand.

President Tinubu isn’t just talking about peace, he’s actively working towards it. He dispatched Dr. Abiodun Essiet, his Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement for the North-central zone, to Plateau as an emissary for intercommunal harmony. Dr. Essiet engaged a wide array of stakeholders, from traditional rulers and youth leaders to Fulani community heads and Christian clerics, in town halls and workshops. These discussions aimed to foster coexistence, resolve conflicts, and establish community peace structures tailored for each of Plateau’s 17 local government areas. We’ve already seen a notable win from these efforts: an amicable resolution in Gyel district, where a pastoral community leader ensured compensation for crop damage, showing how grassroots reconciliation can build trust. Simultaneously, Nigeria’s security agencies are stepping up their game. The Department of State Services (DSS) recently nabbed Musa Abubakar, a suspected arms dealer tied to terrorist activities in Plateau and neighboring states, during an intelligence-led raid on his illegal workshop in Bassa Local Government Area. Confiscating improvised explosive device (IED) components and other weapons surely disrupted the supply chain fueling violent attacks. This follows the recapture of Abdulazeez Obadaki, a notorious Kuje Prison escapee linked to attacks on churches in Owo and elsewhere. These operations clearly demonstrate the administration’s multi-pronged approach, blending community dialogue with strong law enforcement to restore order.

Despite these focused efforts in Plateau, Nigeria continues to wrestle with deep-seated security challenges nationwide. Recent reports detail widespread banditry, kidnappings, and terrorist incursions. For instance, in Niger State, hundreds of students and staff from St. Mary’s Catholic School were abducted just days after a similar incident in Kebbi, troubling developments that fuel public anxiety and demand urgent, comprehensive responses. Security experts and civil society groups are urging a state of emergency on national security to mobilize resources and coordination. While Plateau’s progress is promising, critics suggest the scale of insecurity across northern Nigeria requires a broader, more decisive strategy. This strategy must tackle underlying socio-economic grievances, rampant arms proliferation, and intelligence gaps. Moving forward, the Tinubu administration faces a critical test. Can it balance political consolidation in Plateau with effective security interventions across the country? Success here, through community dialogue, political unity, and strategic crackdowns, could become a blueprint for stabilizing other volatile regions. But lasting peace demands inclusive governance, transparent resource allocation, and continuous vigilance. As Plateau heads towards the 2027 elections under APC’s solidified control, genuine peace offers hope not just for its citizens but as a vital sign of Nigeria’s capacity to confront insecurity and safeguard its democratic future.

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