In a renewed effort to tackle the persistent violence and unrest in Plateau State, the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Security Challenges has invited Governor Caleb Mutfwang, former governors, and other critical stakeholders to a high-level security conference.
The conference, aimed at finding lasting solutions to the recurring attacks across the state, will convene key political, traditional, religious, and civil society leaders to engage in inclusive dialogue and propose actionable recommendations.
Chairman of the committee, Dr. Wale Hammed, announced the initiative as part of the National Assembly’s response to a series of deadly incidents, particularly in communities like Bokkos, Bassa, and Mangu local government areas. The lawmaker said the decision follows recent House resolutions, including debates in May and June over the killings of residents in Rimi, Basawa Sabon, and the targeting of travellers.
“The conference is designed to facilitate robust fact-finding and generate evidence-based solutions. We have also issued a call for memoranda to allow all stakeholders to contribute meaningfully,” Dr. Hammed stated, adding that the committee is empowered under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution to conduct such hearings and investigations.
Those expected at the conference include Governor Caleb Mutfwang; former governors Simon Lalong, Jonah Jang, and Joshua Dariye; members of the National and State Assemblies from Plateau; local government chairmen; traditional rulers; religious leaders; and heads of security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Police, DSS, NSCDC, and officials of Operation Safe Haven—both past and present.
Also invited are civil society organisations, youth leaders, faith-based groups such as the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), ethnic and community advocacy groups like the Plateau Initiative for the Development and Advancement of the Natives (PIDAN), as well as international partners including the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and the African Union’s Peace and Security Division.
Dr. Hammed emphasized the importance of the conference as a unifying, solution-driven initiative. “Only a responsive parliament can rise to the challenge of protecting lives and property. We must not allow our differences to overshadow the shared need for peace,” he said.
He called on all invited participants to attend fully and submit their memoranda to support the committee’s work. He affirmed that the outcomes of the conference would help shape informed government actions and interventions for sustainable peace in Plateau State.
