Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has disclosed alarming statistics regarding the protracted violent conflict in the state, revealing that an estimated 12,000 lives have been lost and over 420 communities attacked within the last 25 years.
The Governor made this disclosure while speaking on the persistent violence that has plagued the state since 2001, a crisis he and other stakeholders have previously described as targeted and genocidal.
The figures underscore the scale of the humanitarian tragedy and the devastating impact of the attacks on the social and economic fabric of Plateau State, once known as the “Home of Peace and Tourism.”
The attacks, which have targeted numerous local government areas, have led to the displacement of tens of thousands of residents.
In addition to the staggering death toll, the destruction of infrastructure, farmlands, and homes across the 420 affected communities has created a long-term crisis of internal displacement and trauma for victims.
The Governor emphasized the urgent need for a decisive and comprehensive security approach to end the cycle of violence and allow displaced persons to return to their ancestral homes.
Governor Mutfwang reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring that justice is served for the victims. He stressed that his government is taking firm steps to secure the state, emphasizing that impunity for these violent acts must end to restore lasting peace.
He noted that the creation of special security task forces and community engagement initiatives are central to the state’s strategy to halt the attacks and rebuild trust among various ethnic and religious groups. The government is also said to be working to implement policies aimed at addressing the root causes of the conflict, including land disputes and poverty.
