Gladness Gideon
Former Governor of Plateau State and ex-Senator for Plateau North, Da Jonah Jang, has condemned the recent spate of violent attacks in the state, describing the killings of over 100 people within a week as deeply tragic and the result of a deliberate agenda by a known group.
In a strongly worded statement issued Tuesday in Jos, Jang expressed his sorrow over the continued bloodshed and extended condolences to the families of the victims and the entire people of Plateau State.
“These senseless killings have caused pain and suffering for our great State and its people, and we must take immediate action to put an end to this violence,” Jang stated. “Let’s call a spade a spade.”
While acknowledging the efforts of Governor Caleb Mutfwang to address the crisis and commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s expressed commitment to end the violence, Jang criticized the presidential directive that reportedly characterized the unrest as a “communal issue.”
He argued that such classification was a misrepresentation of the true nature of the attacks, which, according to him, are not mere communal clashes but orchestrated assaults by a specific group with a hidden agenda.
“The attacks in Plateau State are not merely communal disputes; they are perpetrated by a known group with a specific agenda,” Jang stressed. “Inaccurate briefings have led to flawed interpretations, and this must be corrected.”
To tackle the root of the problem, the elder statesman called on President Tinubu to convene an expanded consultative meeting involving traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community stakeholders to better understand the complex dynamics fueling the violence.
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“Such a meeting would provide a platform for stakeholders to share their insights and experiences, enabling the President to develop a more informed approach to tackling the problem,” he said.
Jang also urged Plateau residents to remain vigilant and united in the face of continued threats, calling on communities to take proactive steps to safeguard themselves.
“As peace-loving and welcoming citizens, we have endured enough. It is time for us to defend ourselves against these aggressors,” he declared.
He concluded by reaffirming his unwavering solidarity with the victims and their families and pledged to continue standing with the people of Plateau State during these trying times.
The renewed violence in Plateau State has once again drawn national attention to the persistent insecurity affecting parts of Nigeria’s Middle Belt region, sparking fresh calls for coordinated government action and community resilience.