Between 2001 and 2025, 420 communities in Plateau State were attacked, claiming over 11,749 lives. Fueled by criminal infiltration, ethnic tensions, and land disputes, the violence has destabilised the region and drawn national and international concern.
The Fact-Finding Committee recently set up on Incessant Attacks, Killings and Destruction in Plateau has declared that no fewer than 420 communities in the state have been attacked between 2001 and 2025.
Retired Maj.-Gen. Nicholas Rogers, Chairman of the committee, disclosed this while presenting its report to Gov. Caleb Mutfwang on Wednesday in Jos.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang inaugurated the 10-member Fact-Finding Committee on May 20 to investigate the remote and immediate causes of incessant attacks in Plateau State. The committee was also tasked with determining the number of affected communities and individuals from 2001 to 2025.
According to the report between 2001 and 2025, Plateau State has witnessed sustained violence across 420 communities, resulting in over 11,749 reported deaths.
Inaugurated by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the committee has traced the roots, scale, and consequences of these attacks, revealing a complex interplay of criminal infiltration, ethnic tensions, and land disputes.
The report calls for urgent, multidimensional interventions to halt the cycle of violence and rebuild trust.
Key Findings
1. Scope of Violence
No fewer than 420 communities were affected across the 13 local government areas (LGAs), while 11,749 deaths were recorded between 2001 and 2025.
2. Nature of Destruction
The report also indicates that 35% of livestock were lost; 32% of residents were displaced, 16.8% of their food resources were destroyed, 9.9% of housing was damaged, and 3.4% suffered illegal land grabbing.
3. Psychosocial and Cultural Impact
The report reveals that victims face long-term trauma, cultural erosion, and economic instability. Additionally, community cohesion has weakened due to fear, mistrust, and repeated displacement.
Root Causes Identified
Findings highlight criminal exploitation as a central issue going on in the state, as armed groups are exploiting Plateau’s natural resources.
Furthermore, the crisis has been traced to ethnic mistrust linked to historical grievances and identity-based tensions.
Moreover, land competition is another challenging issue as disputes have erupted over ownership and access to fertile land. This is coupled with cross-border infiltration, where attackers often enter via Taraba, Bauchi, Kaduna, and Nasarawa States.
Government Response and Strategic Outlook
Governor Mutfwang, “In anticipation of this report, we have been recruiting into Operation Rainbow, our security outfit. Between now and next week, we will send more than 1,000 operatives for proper training.”
He emphasised a dual approach: “We realise the solution is not just kinetic; we must also deploy non-kinetic options if we are to get results.”
The governor also pledged to forward the report to the Federal Government and to intensify peacebuilding efforts through community engagement.
Policy Priorities:
In light of these findings, the report recommends an urgent need to activate early warning systems, including infrastructure development, poverty alleviation, and investment in human capital.
Pathways to Peace
The committee’s chairman, Retired Maj.-Gen. Nicholas Rogers emphasised that while the violence is deliberate and coordinated, it presents an opportunity for transformative leadership.
Rogers concluded: “This is not just a security crisis. It is a test of leadership, unity, and our collective resolve to heal Plateau.”
To achieve sustainable peace in the state, analysts call for inclusive governance; transparent land reforms, community-led reconciliation and Cross-border security collaboration.
Conclusion
The Plateau violence is not merely a security issue — it is a multidimensional crisis rooted in historical, economic, and social fault lines. The committee’s report offers a blueprint for healing, but its success hinges on political will, community engagement, and sustained investment in peace infrastructure.