Eshiorameh Sebastian in Abuja
In a direct response to ongoing tensions in Plateau State, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has deployed a senior aide to lead reconciliation efforts between communities in the restive North Central region.
Dr. Abiodun Essiet, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement for the North Central Zone, was dispatched last Thursday on a two-day peace mission that involved extensive dialogues with key community stakeholders.
According to a Sunday State House statement signed by Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President (Information& Strategy), the presidential envoy engaged in a series of high-level meetings aimed at bridging divides between farming and pastoral communities.
She met separately with Christian religious leaders, including Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo, the Chairman of the Regional Church Council in Barkin Ladi, and with leadership of the Fulani Miyetti Allah community.
“The President is deeply committed to achieving lasting peace in Plateau State,” Dr. Essiet stated during her engagements. “We believe that sustainable solutions must come from the communities themselves, supported by the government’s commitment to inclusive governance.”
The peace initiative culminated in a town hall meeting in Jos that brought together delegates from various local government areas, traditional rulers, women, and youth leaders.
The gathering focused on strengthening community-based peace structures and promoting coexistence among the state’s diverse communities.
A significant breakthrough emerged from the Bassa Local Government Area, where Dr. Essiet facilitated a closed-door meeting between the Irigwe community, Miyetti Allah representatives, and youth leaders.
This engagement resulted in the establishment of a 17-member peace committee dedicated to strengthening dialogue and reconciliation.
The mediation efforts produced an immediate, tangible result in the Gyel district of Jos South. A longstanding conflict between farm owner David Toma and local herdsmen was resolved through compensation. Alhaji Isah Yau, Chairman of MACBAN in Bassa LGA, paid N500,000 to Mr. Toma for farm damage, leading to the release of two impounded cows. All parties signed a peace agreement committing to sustained harmony.
Dr. Essiet emphasized that the Community-Based Peace Structure serves as a cornerstone for grassroots unity and long-term stability in the region. “What we’re building here is not just a temporary truce, but a foundation for lasting coexistence,” she remarked.
The successful resolution of the Gyel farm conflict represents an early victory for the federal government’s renewed peace efforts in Plateau State, signaling potential for broader reconciliation in the region.
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