As part of its ongoing consultations, the Plateau State Fact-Finding Committee on Friday, June 27, 2025, held dialogue sessions with representatives of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and key Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) at the Plateau State Polytechnic, Jos campus. The sessions are part of the government’s broader efforts to gather firsthand insights and formulate workable strategies to restore peace across the state.
Farmers Raise Concerns Over Destruction of Crops, Call for Defined Grazing Areas
Speaking on behalf of AFAN, Da Pam Bot, State Secretary of the association, expressed deep concern over persistent destruction of farmlands by cattle, which he said has led to the loss of millions of naira worth of crops—despite government efforts to support agriculture through land preparation and other forms of empowerment.
He noted that many of these incidents are caused by the use of underage herders who lack the capacity to properly manage cattle, resulting in accidental destruction. However, he acknowledged that farmers, too, sometimes encroach on traditional grazing routes, exacerbating tensions.
“The issue is complex,” Bot stated. “Even architectural development and population growth have blocked grazing paths. While we encourage dialogue, we also recommend that new grazing routes be identified, though that raises questions about who is willing to relinquish land.”
Bot also condemned the use of harmful substances like pepper on grasses—which, when inhaled by cows—can cause death, as well as pesticide-related poisoning. He emphasized the need for defined boundaries and continued collaboration with local Fulani leadership to report and manage incursions, particularly by unknown or foreign herders.
AFAN North-Central Coordinator, Iliya Bonfa, added that farmer-herder clashes remain the association’s most pressing concern, noting that these conflicts are not unique to Plateau but also occur in neighboring states like Nasarawa and Benue.
“Our role is to guide farmers on grazing boundaries, planting seasons, and relevant government policies. But the crisis has political, religious, and ethnic dimensions that make it harder to manage,” he said. He thanked the Governor for setting up the committee and urged that practical solutions, including dialogue and fair mediation, be prioritized.
Hon. Justice Esther Lolo, a committee member, observed that throughout the committee’s consultations, neither herders nor farmers had seriously mentioned ranching as a sustainable solution. She proposed that ranching could be gradually introduced as a prototype.
In response, Bonfa acknowledged that the concept of ranching is often met with resistance, mainly due to land ownership concerns. “We’ve had federal ranches in places like Vom, Yelwa, and Wase, but no one knows what has become of them. The conversation needs to be revived,” he said.
NGOs Decry Trust Deficit, Demand Accountability and Structural Reforms
During the session with NGOs, the committee commended the role of civil society in peacebuilding and conflict mitigation. Committee Chairman, Major General Nicholas Rogas (Rtd), acknowledged that while many NGOs operate across Plateau, only a few are registered or locally grounded. Nonetheless, he emphasized their unique position in working with both victims and perpetrators, and urged them to share honest assessments and practical recommendations.
Myriam Maga Kuje of GIZ said her organization is currently conducting a situational assessment in partnership with the Plateau Peace Building Agency. “Our first phase ran from 2019 to 2023. We are now in the second phase, ending in 2027. We are focused on capacity building and sustainable peace,” she said.
Geraldine Ako of the GIZ Peace Court described the evolving nature of the Plateau conflict. “What began as indigene-settler disputes has evolved into farmer-herder clashes, then banditry, and now, even mining-related tensions,” she explained.
Ako identified major conflict drivers including:
Absence of clearly defined perpetrators, making mediation difficult
Delayed early warning and security response systems
Repeated attacks without justice or punishment
Stereotyping and communal shielding of offenders
Loss of trust in government and security agencies
“Today, we are dealing with three broad categories of stakeholders—natives, settler-herders, and traveling herders. Each of these groups contributes differently to the crisis. Sometimes they act alone, sometimes in combination,” she said. She added that without consistent accountability and justice, peace efforts remain fragile.
Suzan Gupuk, also of GIZ, spoke on the emotional toll of the conflict. “People live double lives—by day they move around, but at night, they abandon their homes out of fear. That shows how deep the distrust runs,” she noted.
Ousseni Kinda of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) emphasized the role of unemployment, drug abuse, and inequality in fueling violence. He explained that external actors may also be worsening the situation and called for stronger coordination between community members and the Ministry of Lands, particularly in areas of displacement and resettlement.
Ibrahim of Search for Common Ground pointed out that mediation used to work when the parties were clearly known. “But now, the lines are blurred. Criminality has taken over. Until criminals are treated as such—without ethnic or political bias—we will keep going in circles,” he warned. He added that a sign of true peace would be when farmers can move to and from their farms without fear.
Committee Responds
In a post-meeting interview, committee member Barr. Yakubu Bawa described the day’s engagements as illuminating. “From AFAN, we saw practical suggestions like restoring cattle routes. The NGOs gave a broader view of the structural problems—inequality, lack of justice, and mistrust in institutions. These are key takeaways for our final report,” he said.
Bawa reassured Plateau citizens that this committee will not repeat the mistakes of the past. “When the Governor set up this committee, the Chairman asked one thing: ‘Will our recommendations be implemented?’ And the Governor assured us they would. We are turning every stone to restore Plateau’s lost glory as the Home of Peace and Tourism,” he said.