In contrast to other local government areas grappling with land grabbing, herder-farmer clashes, and intercommunal killings, the Chairman of Jos North Local Government Council, Barr. Christopher Kyohroh John, has drawn attention to internal threats—particularly cultism and drug abuse—as the major drivers of insecurity in the area.
He made this known during an assessment visit by the Plateau State Fact-Finding Committee to the council secretariat on Thursday, July 13, 2025. The committee, constituted by Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, is tasked with investigating the root causes of violent conflicts that have plagued Plateau State from 2001 to date.
Welcoming the delegation, Barr. John noted that while Jos North had once been a flashpoint for ethno-religious violence, the security landscape has evolved. “Today, our greatest threats are internal—cultism, drug abuse, small arms proliferation, and pockets of kidnapping. These issues, particularly among our youth, require urgent attention,” he stated.
He commended the governor’s initiative in setting up the high-powered committee, describing the visit as “a blessing” and expressing hope that the recommendations from their findings would help deliver lasting peace to Plateau.
The ten-member committee is chaired by retired Major General Nicholas Rogers, a former commander of Operation Safe Haven and Operation Lafiya Dole. Other members include AVM Ibrahim Shafi’i (Rtd), Mr. Segun Adeniyi (Editor-in-Chief, ThisDay), Jonathan Kure and Lawan Usman Safana (both retired SSS directors), Justice Esther Lolo (Rtd), Yakubu Bawa (legal practitioner), Gad Shamaki (civil society advocate and UNIJOS alumni president), Amina Elelu-Ahmed (former director of legal services, NOA), and the secretary, Timothy Parlong (Rtd Permanent Secretary, Plateau State).
Parlong, while introducing the committee, emphasized the neutrality and depth of experience of its members, pointing out that only one member of the team is an indigene of Plateau.
During a closed-door session, the committee met with security agencies, NDLEA officers, traditional rulers, youth and women leaders, and other stakeholders to discuss the unique challenges in Jos North.
Speaking after the meeting, General Rogers expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the council and praised the collaborative effort of security agencies and local leadership. “Jos North has moved from being a crisis-prone zone to a relatively calm environment,” he said. “There are no reports of land grabbing or communal killings as we’ve seen in other LGAs. However, the major concern here is drug abuse, especially in areas like the Congo-Russia community.”
The committee later visited identified drug hotspots, including the Congo-Russia area, where residents and community leaders expressed concern over the prevalence of drug use, cultism, and related crimes.
Joshua Daniel, head of the Congo-Russia community, lamented the state of affairs. “We’re seeing little children involved in drug use, stealing, even stabbing people. Many of them come from outside our community. We hope this committee will help us find a way forward.”
Committee member Gad Shamaki stressed the long-term societal consequences of youth drug abuse. “This is a serious problem. Drug misuse leads to cultism, petty crime, and violent behavior. Both sellers and buyers must be held accountable. Communities, parents, and authorities must work together to end this menace.”
The chairman of Jos North echoed similar sentiments during the tour. “Insecurity in Plateau State comes in various forms—some LGAs deal with herder-farmer crises, land encroachment, or terrorism. But in Jos North, our war is internal. It’s a war against addiction, against cultism, against the gradual decay of our youth. That’s where we need urgent intervention,” he stated.
He also appreciated the dedication of security chiefs and civil agencies operating within the LGA. “Our peace so far is not accidental. It’s a result of joint security meetings, intelligence sharing, and proactive strategies. We thank our partners, but we must do more.”
The Plateau State Fact-Finding Committee continues its engagements across LGAs and is expected to present a comprehensive report to Governor Mutfwang, offering tailored recommendations for each locality visited.