President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday met with stakeholders from Plateau State at the State House, Abuja, where leaders from the state pledged to work for peace and the Federal Government approved N2 billion relief support for victims of the March 29 attack in Angwa Rukuba, Jos.
According to a State House statement signed on Wednesday by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the meeting lasted about three hours and had a 32-member delegation led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
President Tinubu urged the delegation to return home with open minds and seek lasting solutions to recurring violence in the state.
He asked leaders to review past government white papers on security crises and submit workable recommendations for consideration.
“No protocols, no hindrances, we are here to speak our minds and find a permanent solution to a recurring conflict and chaos,” the president said.
He added that leaders must promote tolerance and stop the recruitment of people to cause conflict and killings.
Tinubu said Plateau had long been known for peaceful coexistence and urged leaders to work together to restore that record.
He also asked the state government to identify those behind attacks so they could face the law.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Mohammed Dorro announced the approval of N2 billion relief support for victims of the March 29 attack in Angwa Rukuba, Jos.
Governor Mutfwang thanked the president for convening the meeting and said leaders from the state were ready to close divisions based on religion and ethnicity.
“Our coming here today shows that there is a renewed spirit on the plateau; that we want to be together,” he said.
He noted that it was the first time all former governors of the state gathered in one room for such a meeting.
Among those at the meeting were former governors Simon Lalong, Jonah Jang, Joshua Dariye and Fidelis Tapgun.
Also present were the Gbong Jos, Jacob Gyang Buba and the Emir of Wase Mohammed Haruna.
The Gbong Jos asked the president to deploy more troops to the state and install CCTV cameras. He also called for support to help displaced persons return to their communities as the rainy season approaches.
Youth representatives from Christian and Muslim groups also told the president they would work together for peace and support the governor.
Former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives Idris Wase said enforcement of the rule of law and action against drug abuse were necessary to address insecurity in the state.
