Tinubu Approves N2bn For Victims Of Plateau Killings

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved N2 billion in relief support for victims of the recent killings in Plateau State, as part of efforts to address the humanitarian impact of recurring violence in the region.

The approval was announced on Tuesday at the State House, Abuja, during a high-level meeting between the President and a 32-man delegation of Plateau stakeholders led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mohammed Dorro, disclosed that the fund was specifically designated for victims of the March 29 attack in Angwa Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area.

At the meeting, which lasted about three hours, President Tinubu urged stakeholders to return home with renewed commitment to peace, tolerance, and reconciliation, stressing the need to end the cycle of violence that has plagued the state.

“No protocols, no hindrances—we are here to speak our minds and find a permanent solution to a recurring conflict and chaos,” the President said. “Everybody here is seeking peace. How do we chart our path to that peace?”

He challenged leaders in the state to revisit previous government White Papers on security crises and develop actionable solutions for lasting peace. According to him, tolerance and inclusion must be the foundation of any resolution.

“We must stop the situation where people are recruited to instigate tribal conflict and killings,” Tinubu said, adding that leaders must take responsibility in addressing the root causes of violence, including ethnic divisions, religious tensions, and farmer-herder clashes.

The President also called on the state government to identify and expose agents of violence, assuring that perpetrators would face the full weight of the law.

He emphasised that justice, fairness, and inclusivity were critical to restoring stability.

Governor Mutfwang, in his remarks, thanked the President for his intervention and leadership, noting that the meeting marked a rare moment of unity among Plateau’s political leaders.

“This is the first time all former governors of the state are gathered in one room for such a purpose,” he said. “It reflects a renewed spirit on the Plateau—we are determined to rise above divisions and build a state we can all be proud of.”

The delegation included prominent figures such as former governors Simon Lalong, Jonah Jang, Joshua Dariye, and Fidelis Tapgun, as well as traditional rulers and religious leaders.

Also present were the Emir of Wase, Mohammed Haruna, and the Gbong Gwon Jos, Jacob Gyang Buba, who both called for enhanced security measures, including deployment of more troops and installation of surveillance infrastructure.

The royal father further advocated for the establishment of state police as a long-term solution to insecurity, while urging the Federal Government to facilitate the safe return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their communities, especially as the rainy season approaches.

Youth representatives at the meeting, both Christian and Muslim, pledged to work together to sustain peace and support government initiatives aimed at reconciliation.

Participants also highlighted the role of drug abuse and weak law enforcement in fueling insecurity, calling for stricter adherence to the rule of law to ensure accountability.

President Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to infrastructural development in Plateau State, noting that peace remained a prerequisite for sustainable growth.

“To stop creating orphans, widows and widowers, there must be enduring peace in the state,” he said. “We all must find a way to accommodate one another.”