By Emmanuel Douglas
Plateau State Govt – Nov. 27, 2025
The Senate of Nigeria and the Plateau State Government have called for inclusive, community-driven strategies to address Nigeria’s mounting insecurity, stressing that sustainable peace can only be achieved through collective action across all levels of society.
The call was made on Thursday in Jos during the North Central Zonal Public Hearing of the 10th Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on the National Security Summit, where stakeholders reviewed security challenges in the region and advanced locally informed solutions.
Declaring the hearing open, Chairman of the Senate delegation to Plateau State, Abba Moro, said Nigeria’s security crisis is complex and requires broad engagement beyond isolated government interventions. He explained that the Senate initiated zonal hearings to ensure that reforms are shaped by the experiences of communities affected by violence.
Moro identified insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, farmer–herder clashes and communal violence as persistent threats destabilizing the North Central region and other parts of the country. He said the challenges are underpinned by deeper structural problems such as poverty, unemployment, proliferation of illegal arms, porous borders and weak governance.
“Security is a shared responsibility,” the senator said, urging stronger collaboration among federal and state governments, security agencies, traditional institutions and local communities. He stated that submissions from the public hearing would inform future legislative actions, budgetary priorities and policy direction.
The Plateau State Government echoed the Senate’s position. Represented by Deputy Governor Josephine Piyo, the administration of Governor Caleb Mutfwang highlighted the devastating impact of insecurity on the state, including loss of lives, displacement of residents, destruction of farmlands and the erosion of communal trust.
Piyo noted that Plateau’s experience reflects a wider national crisis and commended the Senate for convening an all-inclusive National Security Summit. She described the bottom-up consultation approach as crucial to designing workable and sustainable solutions.
She outlined steps already taken by the state government, including strengthening community-based early warning systems, enhancing cooperation with security agencies and promoting justice and inclusiveness in conflict resolution. According to her, the involvement of communities, vigilante groups and traditional rulers is essential, as they possess critical local knowledge of the terrain.
The deputy governor also called for the removal of legal and institutional ambiguities that hinder effective collaboration among security agencies and community actors, urging Nigerians to rise above political, ethnic and religious divisions in the quest for peace.
Support real journalism.
✅ Prioritize credible sources
🔍 Fact-check what you read
💸 Donate to outlets that value truth, independence & fairness
Journalism matters—help it thrive. #NEWSPOINTER Fact checker#
Both the Senate and the Plateau State Government expressed optimism that the zonal hearings would provide a critical opportunity to reset Nigeria’s national security architecture.
The hearing featured presentations from security experts, civil society organisations and community representatives. The committee is expected to compile its findings and submit a comprehensive report to the Senate for further legislative action.
