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Jos South Chairman Calls for State Policing as Fact-Finding Committee Assesses Conflict Zones
The Chairman of Jos South Local Government Area, Hon. Silas Patrick Dung, has made a passionate appeal for the establishment of state policing as a solution to the insecurity plaguing Plateau State. He made the call on Monday, June 30, 2025, while receiving members of the Plateau State Fact-Finding Committee during their assessment visit to the LGA.
The committee, set up by Governor Caleb Mutfwang to investigate the root causes of persistent attacks in Plateau State and recommend lasting solutions, visited Jos South as part of its statewide tour of affected communities.
Speaking during a closed-door meeting with the committee at the LGA secretariat, which included heads of security agencies, traditional rulers, and leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Hon. Dung stressed that state policing would empower local authorities to respond swiftly to threats.
“As a local government chairman, I can’t give direct orders to the DPO to act during emergencies because he takes instructions from above, and sometimes the security personals are hours away from the scene of attack,” he said. “We need locally sourced, trained, and equipped personnel who know the terrain and can be first responders.”
While appreciating the neutrality of the committee members—most of whom are non-indigenes—Hon. Dung emphasized that the Jos South situation is unique. He cautioned against labeling the crisis simply as “farmer-herder clashes,” describing some of the attacks as acts of terrorism.
“Jos South has been affected by land occupation, targeted killings, and kidnappings. Gero community, for instance, is often mentioned in crises due to its location and resource-rich land. It shares boundaries with four LGAs—Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Bassa, and Jos North—making it a hotspot and transit route for attackers,” he said.
He added that mining activity in Gero and surrounding areas has also contributed to tensions, as both locals and outsiders compete for access to rich deposits.
Committee Visits Conflict-Prone Areas
The committee chairman, Major General Nicholas Rogas (Rtd), said the visit was aimed at gathering firsthand insights to enrich their report and ensure recommendations reflect the realities on the ground.
“We’ve gone around various LGAs, heard testimonies, and seen affected sites. Today, we are in Jos South to see things for ourselves—places like Gero, Rafin Bona, and the 2010 Dogo Nahawa massacre site,” Rogas said.
The delegation visited Gero community, identified by local authorities as a strategic flashpoint due to its proximity to crisis zones and history of attacks. According to Hon. Dung, Gero often becomes a safe haven for displaced persons during crises in neighboring LGAs, further heightening tension and pressure on the area.
During a dialogue with the committee, Hon. Dung reiterated the call for the return of Ardos (Fulani community leaders) to reside among their people, as earlier agreed in peace talks, stressing that their physical presence is crucial to fostering accountability and coexistence.
“We believe peace is possible if the right measures are in place—state policing, active participation of traditional leaders, and firm political will,” he added.
Tribute to Victims of the 2010 Dogo Nahawa Massacre
The committee also paid a solemn visit to the mass grave of the 2010 Dogo Nahawa massacre, where over 500 lives were lost in a midnight attack. The counselor of Shen Ward, Hon. Damien Yam Dung, narrated how the attackers struck around 2:00 a.m., leaving a trail of destruction and sorrow.
“People were sleeping when gunshots started. Many were killed as they tried to flee. The attackers used long knives and guns. By the time security forces arrived, it was too late,” he recalled.
Moved by the sight, Major General Rogas remarked, “This massacre should never have happened. There is enough land for everyone. We must build the political will to ensure peace and never allow this again.”
“I Chose to Stay”: Survivor of 2010 Massacre Tells Committee
The delegation also met with Malam Inusa, an old Fulani man who remained in Dogo Nahawa before and after the massacre. He shared his story of resilience and long-standing ties with the community, where he has lived for over 40 years.
“This is my home. I refused to leave then, and I’m still here. I pray God gives us peace,” Malam Inusa said.
Committee Encourages Community Vigilance
Major General Rogas commended the Jos South leadership for its proactive stance and encouraged the formation of local peace monitoring teams to detect and de-escalate early warning signs of violence.
“We encourage you to set up district-level committees to serve as first responders. Call regular security meetings and engage the Fulani leaders who have migrated. Sustaining peace requires collective effort,” he said.
The visit ended with a symbolic stop at the Ten Commandments Prayer Ground, where the committee interceded for peace across Plateau State.
Nigerian table tennis prospect Matthew Kuti has set his sights on winning two gold medals for the country at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, as he intensifies preparations for the competition.
Kuti is targeting victory in both the men’s singles and mixed doubles events, expressing confidence in his preparation while acknowledging the technical demands of table tennis at the highest level.
“Thinking game is a very difficult game and it’s very scientific game. So I’m very, very happy that I participate in today’s game,” Kuti said.
The young Nigerian explained that his ambition is to represent the country successfully in Dakar, where he hopes to compete across multiple events and convert his preparations into gold medals.
“My challenge is to go there and take a gold for Nigeria, play many tournament and also there is mixed doubles in Dakar and singles. I want to win the two,” he said.
Kuti acknowledged that achieving the double target would require commitment and hard work, noting that he is currently in training as he works towards peak performance for the Games.
“So I will try my best. I will try what I can do because now I’m in training. So I will try my best,” he added.
The Youth Olympic Games will take place in Senegal from October 31 to November 13, 2026, bringing together young athletes from across the world in a multi-sport competition.
For Kuti, the tournament represents an opportunity to test himself against international opposition and contribute to Nigeria’s medal ambitions. His focus on both singles and mixed doubles reflects his determination to make the most of the opportunities available to him in Dakar.
With preparations ongoing, the Nigerian youngster will be hoping that his training, tournament experience and determination can translate into strong performances when the competition begins.
The Lagos State House of Assembly has unanimously supported the proposed establishment of state police, following its consideration of the Constitution Amendment Bill transmitted by the National Assembly.
The speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, disclosed this on Tuesday during plenary, which lawmakers reconvened for after cutting their recess short to consider the proposed amendment.
Mr Obasa said the establishment of state police had remained a recurring issue from the fifth to the 10th assembly, with successive legislatures discussing ways to strengthen security and protect lives and property.
He described the development as a step forward but expressed concern that some issues raised by state legislatures had not been adequately addressed.
“I am pleased that the issue of state police has received attention, but there are concerns that must be addressed to ensure that the arrangement works effectively,” Mr Obasa said.
The bill, titled the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, seeks to provide for the establishment of the State Police Service and related matters.
The speaker said further developments in the amendment process should give states greater control over policing arrangements but stressed the need to clearly define the relationship between federal and state police, particularly regarding powers, control and responsibilities.
“The functions and responsibilities of state police should be clearly defined, with appropriate provisions made for state legislatures,” he said.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for commitment to democracy and democratic institutions, as well as the Senate and House of Representatives for advancing the proposal.
Mr Obasa further called for a clear constitutional provision for parliamentary police to protect legislative institutions and preserve their independence.
He cited past incidents in which state legislative buildings were allegedly demolished or locked up at the instance of governors, describing such developments as threats to legislative autonomy.
“There should also be provisions for parliamentary police, as we have in the United States Congress and at Westminster in the United Kingdom, to protect democracy and safeguard state legislatures.
“We must learn from past incidents in which a governor could order demolition of a legislative building or have a state legislature locked up simply to serve personal interests.
“To prevent such incidents from happening again and protect our nascent democracy, we must safeguard our existing state legislatures. Establishing parliamentary police will help protect legislative institutions and ensure that independence of the legislature is not undermined,” he said.
The speaker expressed confidence that outstanding concerns would be addressed as the constitutional amendment process progressed.
The House subsequently adjourned plenary until November 9, 2026.
The Lagos assembly‘s position comes as the push for state police has crossed its most critical constitutional hurdle.
The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, had on Friday announced that 24 State Houses of Assembly had approved the Constitution (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026.
According to him, the approval meets the two-thirds threshold—24 of 36 states—required under Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution for alteration.
The Working Group chairman commended the state assemblies and the National Assembly for passing the amendment in both chambers.
The 24 states are Adamawa, Delta, Edo, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, Zamfara, Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Ekiti, Kebbi, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Abia, Yobe, and Kaduna.
With Lagos’ unanimous vote on Tuesday, the figure has now risen to 25, leaving 11 states yet to formally communicate their positions.
The National Assembly transmitted the bill to the states on September 16 with a 30-day administrative window.
(NAN)
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