Governor Mutfwang Receives Report from Dariye Committee, Calls for Peace Talks

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has received the report from the strategic committee led by former Governor Joshua Dariye. He called it a guide for tackling the state’s security and social issues through dialogue, reforms, and working closely with the federal government.

The governor got the report on Monday at the Old Government House in Rayfield, Jos. His Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, shared this in a statement.

Mr Bere noted that the committee was set up after a Plateau delegation met with President Bola Tinubu. The goal was to unify the concerns raised during that meeting and suggest practical ways to promote peace, security, and development.

Governor Mutfwang said President Tinubu showed real concern for the security situation in Plateau during their meeting. He stated, “When we visited Mr President, it was evident that he has a genuine concern for Plateau State. That is why he gave us clear marching orders to reignite and reinvigorate the search for lasting peace on the Plateau.”

He explained that the committee was partly created because some people misunderstood the aim of their engagement with the president. This made it necessary to clarify and understand the issues facing the state.

“The clarity provided by this committee will serve as a solid foundation for the critical conversations we must continue to have as a people,” he added.

The governor also said the report would be shared with more Plateau stakeholders. He pointed out that the people who went with him to the Presidential Villa did not represent all interests in the state. “Many who were unable to make the trip also have valuable perspectives that deserve to be heard. We must therefore create an enabling environment where every interest group has a voice at the discussion table,” he mentioned.

Mr Dariye stated that the committee’s findings showed that Plateau’s security problems are not due to one cause. He said, “The central message of this report is that the peace and security challenges facing Plateau State are multidimensional, historical, layered, and dynamic. Consequently, the increasing insecurity in the state cannot be attributed to a single factor.”

He noted that the two-volume report suggests a framework for stabilization and recovery. This goes beyond military action and includes protecting vulnerable communities, aiding internally displaced persons, rebuilding affected areas, restoring livelihoods, healing trauma, empowering youth, promoting women’s involvement, interfaith collaboration, and traditional conflict mediation.

The committee also pointed out that Plateau has many reports and peace initiatives. However, they identified poor implementation, weak institutional support, inconsistent follow-up, and lack of accountability as major hurdles to lasting peace.

Mr Dariye called on the state government to adopt a stronger communication strategy. This should aim to portray Plateau beyond conflict stories by showcasing peacebuilding efforts, investment opportunities, tourism, and economic recovery.

The committee was formed after President Tinubu met with a high-level Plateau delegation. This meeting followed renewed attacks in several communities earlier this year, which resulted in many deaths and displaced residents. It also sparked calls for stronger federal intervention.

After their meeting, the president instructed the state government to step up efforts for lasting peace and encouraged broader discussions among stakeholders. The Dariye committee was created to develop a coordinated engagement plan with the Presidency and suggest long-term solutions to the state’s ongoing security problems.