Plateau Crisis: Dariye Committee Recommends Solutions Beyond Military Response
The strategic committee set up on the recurring crisis in Plateau State has recommended far reaching measures beyond military responses that will ensure justice, accountability and institutional support for all.
Submitting the report to Governor Caleb Mutfwang on Monday, its Chairman and former Governor of the state, Senator Joshua Dariye, said the committee’s assignment extended beyond administrative responsibility, touching directly on the protection of lives, the safety of communities, and the pursuit of enduring peace across the state.
He disclosed that the committee produced a comprehensive two-volume report containing detailed analyses, key findings, implementation frameworks, and practical recommendations for government action.
Dariye 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.”
The committee further observed that Plateau State possesses numerous reports, policy documents, gazettes, peace initiatives, and recommendations, but the major challenge remains the inadequate implementation, weak institutional support, inconsistent follow-up, personnel discontinuity, and insufficient accountability.
The report, therefore, recommends a comprehensive stabilization and recovery framework that extends beyond military responses to include the protection of vulnerable communities, support for internally displaced persons, reconstruction of affected settlements, livelihood restoration, trauma healing, youth empowerment, women’s participation, interfaith collaboration, traditional conflict mediation, and education.
Dariye stressed the importance of strategic communication in reshaping public perception of the state.
“Plateau State must be deliberate in telling its own story, correcting distorted narratives, showcasing government efforts, and transforming its image from one defined by conflict and crisis to one anchored on peace, resilience, justice, hospitality, investment, tourism, and opportunity.”
Receiving the report, Governor Mutfwang reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to building lasting peace through inclusive dialogue, institutional reforms, and collaboration with the Federal Government.
He described the document as a strategic roadmap that will guide informed dialogue and practical interventions toward addressing the complex security and socio-political challenges confronting Plateau State.
The governor disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has demonstrated genuine concern for Plateau State and specifically directed the state to intensify efforts toward restoring enduring peace.
“The clarity provided by this committee,” he noted, “will serve as a solid foundation for the critical conversations we must continue to have as a people.”
Governor Mutfwang commended traditional rulers, political leaders, religious leaders, and community stakeholders across ethnic and religious divides for sustaining dialogue in an atmosphere of mutual respect rather than confrontation, describing their collective commitment as indispensable to preserving Plateau’s social fabric.
In further demonstration of his administration’s commitment to inclusiveness, the Governor announced that the report would be presented to a broader Plateau stakeholders’ assembly to ensure wider participation and ownership of the peace-building process.
“Those who accompanied us to the Presidential Villa do not represent the entirety of Plateau. 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 emphasized.
“We will discover that these issues are not new. We must sustain the conversation and continue working together to develop better and more enduring solutions for the future,” the Governor said.
