The House of Representatives’ Special Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the persistent killings in Plateau State has pledged to dig deep into the root causes of the prolonged crisis, which has left communities devastated across the region.
The committee, led by Hon. Wale Hammed, made this known during a courtesy visit to former Plateau State Governor, Senator Joshua Dariye, at his Abuja residence on Thursday.
Speaking during the visit, Hammed said the House—under the leadership of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas—recognizes the urgency of finding lasting solutions to the Plateau crisis, which has persisted for over two decades.
“The security situation, the killings, the violence in the state is worrisome,” Hammed said. “We are engaging all stakeholders to listen, collect memoranda, and convene a security dialogue conference that will allow everyone to ventilate their concerns.”
Hammed revealed that the committee had placed adverts in national and local media, calling for memoranda and public input from Plateau residents and other stakeholders. He noted that several submissions have already been received and are currently being reviewed.
“This dialogue will culminate in a report to be submitted to the Federal Government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has shown deep concern about the killings,” he added.
He also acknowledged the First Lady’s involvement, highlighting her personal visits and financial support to affected communities as part of humanitarian relief efforts.
Joshua Dariye Commends Reps, Traces Crisis Origins
In his remarks, former Governor Joshua Dariye praised the initiative, describing it as “timely and crucial” for the survival and unity of Plateau State. He offered historical insights into the origins of the violence.
“This topic touches on the very existence of our people,” Dariye said. “The crisis began during my tenure in 2001 as a boil-over from military rule to civilian rule. It started over small misunderstandings and later escalated due to issues like appointments of non-indigenes, and land disputes between communities.”
Dariye recalled specific flashpoints during his administration, including Shendam, Wase, and Langtang South, where clashes between Tarok and Fulani groups over land ownership ignited prolonged violence.
“We created new Chiefdoms to address peculiar interests and attempted several mediations, but the lack of federal intervention at the time complicated matters,” he noted.
Hammed affirmed that the committee will continue with private consultations, community visits, and public hearings to collate all necessary data. The final goal is to provide actionable recommendations to the Federal Government for a sustainable peace framework in Plateau and other affected areas.
“We believe that with the right information from those who have governed and lived through these crises, we can proffer comprehensive and enduring solutions,” he said.
