Former Governor of Plateau State, Senator Jonah David Jang, has said that insecurity and banditry in the state are longstanding challenges that have persisted across successive administrations.
Jang made the remarks on Thursday, April 2, 2026, during the President’s visit to Jos following recent attacks in parts of the state.
He noted that Plateau, widely known as the “Home of Peace and Tourism,” continues to grapple with recurring violence, particularly in rural communities.
According to him, the attacks have resulted in loss of lives, displacement of families, and destruction of homes and livelihoods, leaving residents in distress.
Addressing the President, Jang expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as a demonstration of leadership and solidarity with the people during a difficult period.
“Your visit brings comfort to grieving families, hope to the injured, and reassurance to citizens affected by these senseless acts of violence,” he said.
Jang, however, stressed that the security crisis predates the current administration, tracing it back to previous governments, including those of Senator Joshua Dariye, his own tenure, former Governor Simon Lalong, and the current administration of Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
He recalled that despite various interventions, including judicial commissions of inquiry with actionable recommendations, the situation has persisted and, in some cases, worsened.
“It is on record that over 160 communities have been destroyed and forcefully occupied by armed groups, with thousands of displaced persons still unable to return to their ancestral homes due to ongoing insecurity,” he stated.
The former governor also raised concerns over the handling of suspects linked to violent crimes, noting that some cases transferred to Abuja have lost momentum, resulting in little or no accountability.
He said this has deepened feelings of injustice among affected communities.
Jang warned that recent attacks in the heart of Jos underscore the growing boldness of perpetrators and the need to shift from reactive responses to proactive, intelligence-driven security strategies.
While acknowledging efforts by the Federal Government and security agencies, he called for more decisive and sustained action, including increased deployment of security personnel, improved intelligence gathering, and coordinated operations to dismantle criminal networks.
He also welcomed plans to recruit forest guards but advised that such recruitment should prioritise locals who are more familiar with the terrain.
On policing reforms, Jang reiterated his longstanding support for the establishment of state police, cautioning against proposals that would place such structures under excessive central control.
He urged the President to convene a stakeholders’ meeting to review the framework, drawing lessons from countries where decentralised policing has proven effective.
The former governor further argued that the violence in Plateau State is not merely a farmer-herder conflict, citing the recent attack in Angwan Rukuba, which he said occurred in an urban area without farms or cattle.
“We believe this is largely about expansionist motives and land grabbing, with political and religious undertones,” he said.
Jang also appealed for the creation of a special intervention fund to rebuild destroyed communities and support the safe return of displaced persons.
He emphasised the need to address the root causes of the crisis to achieve lasting peace, noting that the people of Plateau remain resilient and committed to unity and national progress.
“We are ready to work collaboratively with the Federal Government to promote peace, stability, and development,” he added.
