President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved N2 billion in relief support for victims of the recent attack in Plateau State, as he convened a high-level stakeholders’ meeting aimed at charting a lasting solution to the state’s recurring violence.
The meeting, held at the State House in Abuja, brought together Governor Caleb Mutfwang, former governors, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other key figures to address the persistent insecurity in the state.
The engagement followed the President’s earlier condolence visit to Plateau after the killing of over 30 persons in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area, during the Palm Sunday attack of March 29, 2026.
Stakeholders had, during that visit, requested a more detailed interaction — a request the President granted, leading to Tuesday’s extensive deliberations in Abuja.
The closed-door session, which lasted more than seven hours, is believed to be one of the longest stakeholder engagements held by the President, underscoring the urgency of the Plateau crisis.
Before proceeding to the Presidential Villa, members of the delegation had converged at the Plateau State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro.
In his remarks, President Tinubu urged leaders across Plateau to embrace tolerance, self-reflection and unity as critical steps toward ending the cycle of violence.
“We are here to speak our minds and find a permanent solution to recurring conflict. Everyone here seeks peace, but we must ask ourselves how to achieve it,” he said.
The President challenged stakeholders to revisit previous government white papers on the crisis and come up with practical, implementable recommendations.
He warned against the role of “agent provocateurs” in fuelling unrest and called on leaders to identify and expose those responsible for instigating violence.
“To stop creating orphans, widows and widowers, there must be enduring peace,” Tinubu added, while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the development of Plateau State.
At the meeting, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Benard Doro, formally announced the President’s approval of N2 billion for victims of the Angwan Rukuba attack.
Discussions during the session highlighted longstanding triggers of conflict in the state, including indigeneship disputes, ethnic and religious divisions, as well as farmer-herder clashes.
Participants, including youth representatives, pledged renewed commitment to peacebuilding efforts.
The delegation featured prominent figures such as Simon Lalong, Jonah Jang, Joshua Dariye and Fidelis Tapgun, alongside traditional rulers including the Gbong Gwom Jos, Jacob Gyang Buba.
Also in attendance were top political and community leaders, reflecting a rare convergence of Plateau’s leadership across political, ethnic and religious lines.
Governor Mutfwang, in his remarks, described the meeting as historic, noting that it was the first time all former governors of the state gathered for such a critical engagement.
He expressed optimism about a renewed spirit of unity among Plateau leaders.
“Our coming together signals a strong determination to rise above divisions and build a peaceful and prosperous Plateau,” the governor said, pledging support for the President’s peace initiative.
The Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Buba, called for increased security deployment to the state and reiterated the need for state police as a long-term solution to Nigeria’s security challenges.
He also appealed for federal support in facilitating the return of internally displaced persons to their communities, particularly with the farming season approaching.
The royal father further commended the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, for her humanitarian interventions in Plateau.
Several speakers at the meeting stressed that lasting peace would depend on sincerity of purpose among leaders, warning that failure to act decisively could prolong the crisis.
The meeting, which commenced around 2 p.m., ended at about 9 p.m., after which the delegation returned to Jos, the Plateau State capital, to continue local consultations.
