As part of its ongoing assessment of violent conflicts in Plateau State, the high-powered Fact-Finding Committee constituted by Governor Caleb Mutfwang visited Langtang South and Mikang Local Government Areas on Thursday, July 24, 2025. The committee’s mandate is to investigate the root causes of recurring crises in the state from 2001 to 2025 and recommend lasting solutions.
Langtang South: Petty Crime and Youth Unemployment Top Concerns
In Langtang South, the committee was received at the council secretariat by the Deputy Chairman Julcit Musa Nanpon, who represented the Executive Chairman, along with local officials and security heads.
Maj. Gen. Nicholas Rogas (rtd), Chairman of the Committee, addressed the gathering, noting the committee’s diverse composition as a deliberate effort to ensure neutrality.
“We are here to listen—whether it’s issues of land grabbing, open grazing, cattle rustling or petty crimes. We need your input so we can advise the government appropriately,” he said.
Deputy Chairman Nanpon, while appreciating the governor’s efforts, lamented the lack of security at night, especially incidents of robbery and harassment.
“People are often stopped on the road at night, especially around 6 p.m. Some are beaten, others are robbed, and in rare cases, killed,” he said. “Last week, a man returning from the market was robbed of ₦2.3 million in cash.”
Nanpon acknowledged that the LGA had not witnessed mass killings like other areas but emphasized the need to curb increasing night-time attacks and youth restiveness.
His Royal Highness, Acting Ponshi Byam, Chief Dauda Caleb, also addressed the committee, thanking the governor for initiating the fact-finding process. “We have enjoyed relative peace thanks to local security efforts, but we still face water scarcity. We hope the government will assist us,” he said.
The committee held a closed-door session with stakeholders, where issues such as poor terrain, inadequate compensation for past losses, and the lingering psychological impact of previous crises were discussed.
Mikang: Boundary Disputes, Land Grievances Dominate Submissions
In Mikang LGA, the committee was welcomed by Deputy Chairman Nungkat Eukuk Koplang on behalf of the Executive Chairman, Dr. Soepding Alkali Bernard. Council Secretary Nanhkin Dafom presented a detailed overview of the LGA’s challenges.
“Mikang’s conflicts are largely internal. We’ve had land disputes—such as the one between the Tonglong and Fungalang communities in March 2024—that resulted in loss of lives and property,” Dafom stated. “The matter was resolved, but pockets of tension still exist.”
He also emphasized the need for clear boundary demarcations to prevent future conflicts, especially in border areas shared with Shendam and other LGAs.
His Royal Highness Bar. Donald D. Puntel II, President of the Mikang Traditional Council, echoed similar concerns. “Our problems are internal—boundary issues, farming disputes, and minor communal disagreements. But the government often creates new chiefdoms and villages without defining boundaries, which leads to crisis,” he said.
The traditional ruler criticized the failure to implement recommendations from past committees, stating, “If someone commits a crime and is not punished, they are likely to repeat it. Government must act on findings, or we’ll continue recycling these crises.”
He also condemned looting and criminality that often accompany crises, noting that some perpetrators are shielded by political interests. “We must enforce the rule of law, regardless of status or affiliation,” he stressed.
Despite these concerns, he praised the peaceful nature of Mikang and expressed hope that the committee’s work would restore Plateau to its reputation as the “Home of Peace and Tourism.”
Committee Chair Reassures of Government Commitment
Speaking to journalists, Committee Chairman Maj. Gen. Rogas acknowledged the relatively peaceful state of the two LGAs.
“In Langtang South and Mikang, most of the challenges are internal—boundary disputes and communal disagreements. External attacks seem to be in the past. The communities have shown initiative in resolving their issues, and we commend them,” he said.
He reiterated the committee’s readiness to submit a thorough report with realistic recommendations that reflect the true state of affected communities.
