Plateau: Fact-Finding Committee Visits Mangu LGA, Assesses Attacked Communities

The Plateau State Fact-Finding Committee on the incessant attacks across communities in the state visited Mangu Local Government Area on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, as part of its mandate to assess the crisis situation and provide actionable recommendations.

The committee was constituted by Governor Caleb Mutfwang to identify both the remote and immediate causes of the violence and suggest sustainable solutions.

On arrival, the committee held a closed-door meeting with the Executive Chairman of Mangu LGA, Hon. Emmanuel B. Mwolpun, who briefed the members on the security situation and reiterated the council’s willingness to cooperate fully with the team.

The Committee Chairman, Maj. Gen. Nicholas Rogas (Rtd), while speaking , emphasized the need for collaboration to achieve the goals of the fact-finding mission.

He said “Your cooperation is needed to lead us in accessing affected areas, stakeholders, and victims, in order to identify the problem and then provide recommendations,”.

In response, the council chairman, Emmanuel Mwolpun expressed confidence in the committee’s capacity, noting that Mangu LGA has been among the worst-hit areas.

He noted that “The constitution of this committee is timely. Seeing the strong composition of the team, I am confident the crisis can be resolved. If this committee cannot resolve it, then only the ancestors can."

The Chairman added" We’ve previously worked with community leaders to achieve relative peace, but the recent attacks demand lasting solutions. Our security agents will take you around the affected areas and provide all the support you need. We hope for a positive outcome,”.

The committee proceeded to the palace of His Royal Highness, Da John Putmang Hirse,the Mishkaham Mwaghavul and President of the Mangu Local Government Traditional Council, where a town hall meeting was held with attendance cutting across district heads, religious and traditional leaders, Fulani representatives, youth and women leaders, and other key stakeholders.

Commending the initiative, the Mishkaham Mwaghavul urged the committee to approach the task with fresh perspectives.

He said “There have been different committees in the past, yet the killings continue. The Governor’s decision to appoint competent non-indigenes is welcomed. We urge you to think outside the box and thank you for accepting the responsibility of working for the betterment of the state. We look forward to the implementation of your recommendations,”.

Maj. Gen. Rogas (Rtd) reiterated the committee’s independence and integrity, assuring stakeholders of a thorough, unbiased process.

He pointed out “The committee comprises individuals who are not from Plateau State, which eliminates sentiments that might influence our findings. We are going to produce a decent and unbiased report that we hope the Governor will implement to bring lasting peace,”.

The Committee Chairman noted

“We’ve heard from all district heads and stakeholders. The issues here include land grabbing, religious coloration, cattle rustling, reprisal attacks under false claims, criminal hijacking of conflicts, kidnapping, farm destruction, night grazing, disregard for traditional institutions, unmet promises, foreign infiltration, displacement of natives, and open grazing, among others".

While promising to look into deeper into these causes, he added that the committee deliberately began its fact-finding in Mangu due to its status as the current epicenter of the

crisis, with the aim of addressing it while tensions are still fresh.

The Mangu LGA Chairman also raised concerns about a growing disconnect between indigenous traditional rulers and the Ardos, who serve as leaders of Fulani groups, pointing out “The Fulani and indigenous people once had close relationships, but in recent times, there has been a huge communication gap between their leaders,”.

The committee concluded its visit by touring several affected communities to assess the level of destruction first-hand, and observed damaged farmlands, looted homes, and deserted settlements.

One of the notable findings was at Tyop community, previously inhabited by Mwaghavul indigene, but now occupied by Fulani settlers, with visible signs of transformation, with the former homes in ruins, while new structures and cultivated farms had emerged.

According to the LGA chairman: “Tyop, located in Mangu District, was originally inhabited by Mwaghavul natives, but after the 2023 elections, conflict broke out, forcing residents to flee. Their homes were left intact, but are now reduced to rubble. Many buildings were looted, and the blocks were carefully removed to construct new houses by Fulani settlers.”