Tinubu Government Makes Plateau Peace A National Security Priority.

Tinubu Government Makes Plateau Peace A National Security Priority

Years of devastating communal violence in Plateau State have taken too many lives, shattered too many homes. But now, President Bola Tinubu’s administration is stepping up, making the restoration of peace in Plateau State a core national security priority. It’s a resolute bid to finally quell the bloodshed, a commitment firmly reiterated by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. He made it clear: Tinubu isn’t just observing, he’s determined to end this cycle of killings and deep social fractures that have rocked the region. Speaking at a massive All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in Jos, Akpabio, representing the President, stressed that peace here isn’t a side issue; it’s central to the federal government’s agenda. As the 2027 general election looms, we’re also seeing significant political realignments. Several influential politicians are defecting from opposition parties to join the APC, including Senator Istifanus Gyang, former PDP campaign director Latep Dabang, Labor Party governorship candidate Dr. Patrick Dakum, and ex-New Nigeria Peoples Party candidate Alfred Dabwam. Even three sitting House of Representatives members and countless grassroots leaders have pledged their allegiance. APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, whose leadership is clearly reshaping the political landscape in APC’s favor, declared the party aims to sweep all federal and state positions in Plateau by 2027. Amidst this political consolidation, the overarching message remains national stability. Akpabio echoed the President’s personal distress over the conflict, stating, “I cry whenever anybody is killed on the Plateau. This state is yearning for peace, and President Tinubu will deliver peace to Plateau State.” You can read more about this key declaration from Arise News.

Grassroots Engagement and Security Crackdowns Underway

Beyond political rallies, President Tinubu is backing these commitments with action on the ground. He dispatched Dr. Abiodun Essiet, a senior advisor on community engagement, to Plateau State. For days in Jos, Dr. Essiet didn’t just meet with officials, she engaged extensively with Christian clergy, Fulani Miyetti Allah leaders, traditional rulers, women’s groups, and youth representatives. These critical interactions culminated in a town hall meeting designed to reinforce community-based peace structures across all 17 local government areas. Imagine the possibilities when faith leaders and pastoral community representatives come together, as seen in the promising dialogue that resolved a conflict between a Jos South farmer and local herders. This bottom-up approach to peace aims to promote coexistence through inclusive governance and ongoing dialogue. It’s an earnest federal desire to foster mutual understanding within Plateau’s diverse communities. Want to know more about Nigeria’s security challenges and efforts? Meanwhile, security agencies aren’t sitting idly by. They’ve intensified crackdowns on those fueling violence. The Department of State Services (DSS), for instance, recently apprehended Musa Abubakar, an alleged arms dealer manufacturing and distributing weapons to violent groups. This arrest, following a raid on his workshop in Bassa Local Government Area, uncovered improvised explosive device components. It happened shortly after the capture of Abdulazeez Obadaki, a notorious prison escapee linked to horrific atrocities. These security successes truly show the federal government’s growing commitment to disrupting armed groups. You can find details on the DSS operations from Arise News.

A Blueprint for Future Stability?

This synchronized strategy, blending political resolve, community reconciliation, and targeted law enforcement, certainly sends a clear message of renewed hope for Plateau State. What if these efforts could become a blueprint for addressing similar conflicts across Nigeria’s restive states? If sustained and deepened, this approach has the potential to break the persistent cycle of violence. As we head towards 2027, Plateau’s journey will be a crucial indicator. Can national security priorities genuinely translate into lasting peace dividends for communities that have suffered for far too long?

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