Plateau Crisis: Ex-Plateau Governor Jang Urges Self-Defense, Says Killings Are Coordinated, Not Communal

WEDNESDAY April 16, 2025 |
By thenewsdesk.ng

Former Plateau State Governor and ex-Senator Jonah Jang has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently convene a high-level dialogue with community leaders in response to the recent wave of deadly attacks in Plateau State that claimed over 100 lives in a single week.

In a strongly worded statement released on Tuesday, Jang described the attacks as the work of a “known group with a hidden agenda,” challenging the federal government’s framing of the violence as merely communal.

“Let’s call a spade a spade,” Jang said. “These senseless killings have brought unimaginable pain to our people. Immediate, decisive action is necessary to end this violence.”

He proposed an expanded meeting involving traditional rulers, religious leaders, and local representatives to help President Tinubu grasp the deeper roots of the crisis.

“Such a forum will allow stakeholders to share insights and lived experiences, equipping the President with a clearer understanding and a more effective path forward,” he noted.

Jang criticized a recent presidential directive labeling the attacks as communal disputes, calling it a result of “inaccurate briefings.” He emphasized that the perpetrators are not unknown but part of a group pursuing a targeted agenda.

While commending Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s efforts and acknowledging Tinubu’s willingness to act, Jang stressed that correct framing of the conflict is essential for any meaningful solution.

Standing in solidarity with affected communities, Jang called on citizens to remain resilient, urging them to defend themselves within the bounds of the law: “We are peace-loving and welcoming people, but we have endured enough.”