Security experts have described the 10-man security committee constituted by the Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang over the crises in the state as one-sided which could be an obstacle for lasting peace in the state.
They stressed that the committee failed to involve representatives from all the warring parties, but, considered only one side which according to them could be disastrous to the volatile Plateau State.
WikkiTimes reports that Governor Mutfwang had on Monday constituted a 10-man committee to handle security-related issues in the state and to make appropriate recommendations to the government.
In a statement signed by the Secretary of the State Arc. Samuel N. Jatau, the members of the committee are; AVM Napoleon Bali (as Chairman), His Royal Highness the Bomgong Jos Gyang Buba, Prof Ganyir Lambin, PIDAN representative, Brig. Gen’ G.G. Ship, DIG Felix Vwamni (Rtd), DIG Habila Jwalshak (Rtd), Major Toholman Daffi (Rtd), Coordinator, Operation Rainbow and Arc. Samuel Jatau will serve as members of the committee.
Idris Mohammed, a security expert and Founder, Sulhu Development Initiative (SDI) said the governor has made a mistake in setting an unbalanced committee to proffer a solution to the ethno-religious crisis. “Plateau state governor, you made an error here. Caleb, investigating a conflict with ethno-religious undertones requires a committee that represents diverse faith groups. Inclusivity is crucial for everyone’s perspective.”
He opined that the bias and the government’s failure to include all warring parties in proffering solutions is the major problem the state is facing.
Additionally, commenting Brig. Gen. S. Bala (Rtd), President at White Ink Institute for Strategy Education and Research (WISER) disclosed that Governor Caleb is repeating the same mistake the former governor of the state made which according to him, the state is still paying the price “Exactly why the problem of Plateau will never abate. No one wants to listen. Same game Jang played to raise the conflict to what it has become today.”
“The problem of Plateau is a truth, mediation, reconciliation and transitional justice matter, and not a combat and law enforcement one. The sooner the leaders of Plateau and their collaborators understand this and truly want peace, the better,” he added.
The duo lamented that the committee has no single Muslim or Fulani representative who could be a vital figures in shaping strategies for lasting peace in the state.
They called on the governor to accommodate and involve all the warring parties with all tribes and religions involved in the peace-making process.
Moreover, Plateau state which was formally addressed as the Home of Peace and Tourism has been in a series of ethno-religious crises in the last decades.
Thousands of people were killed, others were displaced while properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.
The recent renewed attacks in the Mangu local government led to the killing of nearly a hundred people.
The state is located in the North Central region of Nigeria, with over 40 tribes majority of which are Christians and Muslims.
