Speaker Abbas Declares, "We Will Not Allow a Crisis In The Plateau"

Abbas Tajudeen, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, stated on Tuesday that "We Will Not Allow a Crisis In The Plateau" further strife or be characterized by it. 

Abbas addressed the House Ad hoc Committee on Security Challenges on Tuesday in Jos, convened a special dialogue and security conference to tackle the root causes of violent attacks and killings that have persisted in the state for more than two decades.

The one-day conference, themed “Restoring Stability and Unity: A Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Security in Plateau State and Beyond,” was held at Crispan Suites & Event Centre, Jos.

Prominent officials attended, such as Governor Caleb Mutfwang, political leaders, traditional rulers, security agencies, civil society groups, religious bodies, academia, and members of the public to develop “practical and sustainable solutions” to the security challenges. 

Declaring the conference open, Abbas said the gathering was “not just an event; it is a national imperative born out of the House’s collective resolve as members of the House of Representatives to confront, with honesty and courage, the persistent security challenges that have afflicted Plateau State and, indeed, several parts of our dear country.

"Since 2001, thousands of people have died in Plateau State due to horrific, ongoing violence, primarily from terrorist and communal attacks throughout the state."

He cited documented evidence showing “most of these people were killed between 2001 and 2018, in Jos North, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, and Jos South Local Government Areas,” adding that “hundreds lost their lives in Mangu, Bokkos, and Barkin Ladi in a deadly wave of attacks that took place between December 2023 and April 2024.”

“There was also the infamous Christmas Eve attack of December 2023 across 17 communities, which led to the loss of over 200 lives, many more injuries and scores of missing persons.

"The loss of property has also been astounding: over 18,000 houses, places of worship, and farmlands have been destroyed, and as many as 400 communities dislocated, leaving some 80,000 internally displaced persons,” the Speaker said.

Abbas stressed that the Plateau crisis defies simple narratives of communal or ethno-religious tensions. he said,  “The truth is that these attacks are often driven by a convergence of factors, from historical grievances and contestations over land and identity, to economic and political marginalisation, climate-induced resource competition, weak conflict resolution mechanisms, and the infiltration of criminal and extremist elements.”

He said, “As a Parliament, we recognise that the challenge before us today is not merely one of restoring order, but of rebuilding trust, addressing injustice, and creating sustainable frameworks for peaceful coexistence.” 

Abbas described the 10th House's "intensified" legislative involvement 

its constitutional mandate to ensure accountability, improved coordination, and optimal performance among our security institutions and prioritised funding for security agencies, with a focus on intelligence gathering, modern technology, and personnel welfare.”

He declared, “Plateau State is known as the Home of Peace and Tourism, and we cannot allow it to be defined by conflict. “The 10th House will not be content with mere words of condemnation or lamentations; we intend to be a parliament of legislation, of action, and of results.”

He pledged that the House would “review every law affecting security, land management, conflict resolution, and justice delivery in Nigeria, with special consideration for Plateau State and prioritise funding for the reconstruction of destroyed communities, construction of trauma centres, resettlement of IDPs, and the provision of modern security infrastructure in Plateau State” in the 2026 supplementary appropriation and 2027 budget.

"Our President is calling for action, a National Assembly that is willing to make every legislative effort imaginable, and Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, who is attuned to the needs of his people… Where these three meet, implementation can no longer be optional but inevitable,” Abbas, who was represented by federal lawmaker John Dafaan, said.

Hon. (Dr.) Wale Hammed, the chairman of the House Ad hoc Committee, stated in his opening remarks that the committee was created out of necessity.

“This time, we have a President who will not accept excuses. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has made Plateau a personal priority.

“He has directed special security deployments, approved humanitarian interventions, and insisted that the cries from Plateau must reach the highest level and be answered with action,” Hammed stated.

In his speech, Mutfwang, represented by Deputy Governor Josephine Piyo, described the dialogue as “not only timely but imperative,” noting it brought together stakeholders “united by a shared commitment to restoring peace, strengthening unity, and charting a sustainable path toward security and stability.”

"Successive Plateau State administrations have struggled with recurrent cycles of violent attacks and unrest over the years." However, despite these interventions, the situation has persisted in varying degrees to the present day,” Mutfwang said.

He enumerated actions his administration has performed, including as revamping Operation Rainbow, establishing the Plateau Activity Centre “equipped with modern technology, including drone surveillance,” refurbishing “over 300 operational vehicles belonging to security agencies,” and reconstituting the Plateau State Inter-Faith Advisory Council.

"As a government, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring that justice is not only done but seen to be done," he said, reiterating the state's pledge.