The fact-finding committee set up by Plateau State Governor, Barr Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, to investigate the remote causes of persistent attacks, killings, and destruction in the state has confirmed that at least 450 communities across 13 Local Government Areas have been destroyed and left desolate, while over 12,000 lives have been lost in two decades of violence spanning between 2001 and 2025.
The 10-man committee was set up by Gov. Mutfwang on May 20, 2025, with the task of uncovering the causes of the recurring attacks and documenting the number of affected communities and individuals since 2001.
The high-powered committee, which was chaired by Maj. Gen. Nicholas Rogers (Rtd), submitted the report to Gov. Mutfwang at the Government House in Rayfield on Thursday. It revealed that the incessant and lingering violence that has engulfed the state has not only brought destruction to communities but has also taken a toll on the economic, commercial, and social lives of the people.
While presenting the all-encompassing report, Gen. Rogers revealed that the never-ending violence perpetrated by suspected Fulani militias and armed herders has also claimed the lives of over 12,000 people, with the potential for even higher unreported casualties.
The retired military officer also told Mutfwang that following weeks of painstaking work, which took the committee to different parts of the state and involved engaging affected communities, liaising with security agencies, and reviewing evidence submitted by victims, the committee was able to arrive at the devastating findings.
He noted that the committee was able to establish that over 450 communities suffered violent attacks between 2001 and May 2025, while more than 12,000 people were slaughtered by the attackers.
He, however, noted with regret that the staggering figures only represented what was presented to the committee, as the actual figures could be higher due to unreported cases.
Gen. Rogers added that the committee’s report detailed extensive damage beyond loss of life, including 35% destruction of livestock, 32.5% displacement of communities, 16.8% destruction of food supplies, 9.9% destruction of homes, and 3.4% illegal land occupation.
He also highlighted the profound psychological, cultural, and economic impacts on victims and lamented that the committee was able to identify the root causes of the violence as a mix of criminal exploitation of the state’s natural resources, historical grievances, ethnic mistrust, and competition over land.
“The violence is coordinated, the motives are deliberate, and the consequences are devastating,” Gen. Rogers said, stressing that within this tragedy lies an opportunity for decisive leadership, inclusive action, and transformative peace building.
While responding, Gov. Mutfwang expressed gratitude to the committee and assured that the report would be thoroughly reviewed and forwarded to the Federal Government for action.
“In anticipation of this report, we have been recruiting into Operation Rainbow, our security outfit. Between now and next week, we will send more than 1,000 operatives for proper training.
“Our Peace Building Agency has stepped up its activities, cascading them to communities because we realize the solution is not just kinetic; we must also deploy non-kinetic options if we are to get results,” he said.
The state governor also promised that his administration is committed to tackling poverty, improving infrastructure, and promoting human capital development, while urging citizens to allow peace to reign.
Plateau: 12,000 people killed, 450 communities destroyed in two decades of violence – Report