A official report has revealed the terrible human cost of twenty years of violence in Plateau State. A special committee told the state governor that more than 11,000 people were killed and 420 communities were completely destroyed since 2001. The findings show the deep wounds left by the long-running conflict.
However, the report’s release has caused a new argument. Some media outlets claimed the report mainly blamed Fulani herders from nearby states for the killings. This led to a public response from the committee’s chairman, Major General Nicholas Rogers (rtd).
General Rogers strongly denied these reports. He stated that it is wrong to blame only one ethnic group for the crisis. “All the ethnic groups are involved. We have all made mistakes,” he explained. He emphasized that the full report, with its recommendations, is only with the governor and not available to the public.
The chairman pointed to revenge attacks as a major reason the violence continues. He called on community leaders and influential people to guide their young people away from taking revenge. He urged them to report problems to the authorities instead of using violence.
Finally, General Rogers asked the state government to find the courage to act on the committee’s suggestions. The hope is that implementing these ideas can finally bring a lasting peace to a state that has suffered greatly for too long.
