The Plateau State Government’s Fact-Finding Committee, on Friday, June 27, 2025, held another round of interactive sessions with key stakeholders—members of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and representatives of local and international Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)—at the Plateau State Polytechnic, Jos campus. The engagements were aimed at deepening the committee’s understanding of the root causes of recurring violence and proffering sustainable solutions.

Committee Chairman, Major General Nicholas Rogas (Rtd.), reiterated the committee’s goal of gathering firsthand insights from stakeholders across the state. He commended both groups for their openness and their shared commitment to peacebuilding.

Farmers Call for Dialogue, Designated Grazing Routes, and Mutual Accountability

Speaking for AFAN, Da Pam Bot, State Secretary of the association, lamented the repeated destruction of farmlands by cattle, especially in areas previously plowed and empowered by government initiatives. He noted that the involvement of underaged herders often leads to careless trespassing on farmlands, while some farmers also encroach on traditional grazing routes.

“There are Fulani we work hand-in-hand with at the local level,” he said. “But the challenge worsens when foreign herders arrive, causing destruction. We’ve maintained communication with the local Miyetti Allah leaders to report incidents, but the use of jobless youths and even pepper-treated grass to deter cows is escalating tensions.”

He called for the identification of new grazing routes, specified areas for livestock, and continued dialogue between stakeholders.

Iliya Bonfa, AFAN’s North-Central Coordinator, stressed the association’s role in guiding farmers on land use, government policies, and seasonal farming practices. He noted that the farmer-herder clashes remain their biggest concern and are driven by complex factors.

“Sometimes the conflict is initiated by herders, other times by native farmers. It’s not unique to Plateau—Nasarawa and Benue also face this. But here, religious, political, and ethnic tensions make it worse. Drug abuse among youth is also fueling violence,” Bonfa explained.

Committee member Hon. Justice Esther Lolo observed that despite the ongoing discussions, the idea of ranching has not been fully explored. “Ranching could be gradually introduced as a prototype solution,” she suggested.

In response, Bonfa acknowledged the challenge, noting that “the biggest issue with ranching is the question of whose land will be used.” He mentioned historic ranches in Turu, Yelwa, Wase, and Vom, but noted their current status is uncertain.

NGOs Identify Conflict Shifts, Justice Gaps, and Community Distrust

The session with NGOs—comprising representatives from GIZ, Search for Common Ground, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), and others—provided deeper analysis into the evolving dynamics of the Plateau crisis.

Geraldine Ako, of GIZ Peace Court, outlined the complex shift in the nature of conflict. “It began as an indigene-settler issue, transitioned to farmer-herder clashes, escalated into banditry, and now, even mining is playing a role,” she said. She also highlighted gaps in conflict mediation: “We can’t mediate if perpetrators are not clearly identified.”

She cited major challenges including:

• Delayed early warning and security response
• Poor coordination among authorities
• Lack of accountability within communities
• Loss of trust in the justice system
• Stereotyping of ethnic groups
• Absence of punishment for perpetrators

Suzan Gupuk, also of GIZ, added, “People no longer trust the security agencies. By nightfall, many abandon their homes to sleep in unknown locations—this is how much fear and distrust exist.”

Ousseni Kinda, of NRC, identified the weaponization of jobless youth and drug abuse as key triggers of violence. “Youth are mobilized for illegal activities and often act irrationally,” he said, adding that inequality and unfair resource distribution further complicate the situation.

He noted that external forces may be fueling the crisis: “In our land assessments, we’ve observed that both natives and settlers aren’t always the problem—there may be external interests at play.”

Ibrahim, of Search for Common Ground, emphasized the shift from communal clashes to outright criminality. “We need political will to sanction criminals. People must be held accountable regardless of kinship ties. When a criminal is treated as a criminal, then we can begin to restore peace.”

Committee Reaction

Committee member Barr. Yakubu Bawa described the day’s meetings as “very enlightening,” offering practical insights into both the farmers’ plight and the broader dynamics captured by NGOs.

He noted, “AFAN shared how the blockage of traditional cattle routes has escalated tensions. Interestingly, they admitted that many of the attacks might not be from Fulani they’ve coexisted with peacefully, but rather from unknown outsiders.”

Regarding the NGO session, Bawa said: “It was especially insightful. We got empirical data and first-hand observations on the causes of the crisis, ranging from land disputes to loss of trust, inequality, and poverty. These NGOs are on the ground—they’re seeing and engaging with communities daily.”

He assured stakeholders that the committee is not taking their role lightly. “When the governor set up this committee, our chairman asked if our recommendations would be implemented. The governor gave his word—and in return, we are turning every stone.”

“We know people are tired. But this will not be business as usual. Plateau can return to its status as the ‘Home of Peace and Tourism’—we just need collective honesty, commitment, and action,” he concluded.