Stakeholders across Nigeria’s Middle Belt have demanded urgent and coordinated action to end the persistent killings and violence affecting communities in the region.
The call came during a town hall meeting organised by News Central TV in Jos, Plateau State, on Thursday.
The event, themed “The Middle Belt Question: Why Does the Violence Persist?”, gathered community leaders, victims of attacks, security agencies and civil society groups to discuss solutions to the growing insecurity.
Stakeholders Raise Alarm Over Continued Violence
Representing Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the Commissioner for Information, Joyce Ramnap, said the government remains committed to tackling the root causes of the crisis.
“We cannot continue to normalise bloodshed,” she said.
Ramnap explained that the government is working closely with security agencies and local communities to ensure justice for victims and safe return for displaced residents.
Religious Leaders Call for National Unity
The General Overseer of Evangelical Bible Outreach Ministries, Isa Elbuba, described the attacks as a serious moral challenge for the country.
“This is beyond politics. It is about humanity,” he said.
He warned that future generations would judge the nation harshly if innocent lives continue to be lost without action.
Experts Push for Early Response Mechanisms
Director General of the Plateau Peace Building Agency, Julie Sanda, stressed the importance of acting before attacks occur.
She said authorities already have enough intelligence and warning signs to prevent many incidents.
“What we need is swift action before these attacks happen, not after,” she noted.
Victims Must Remain at the Centre, Advocates Say
Peace advocate Gideon ParaMallam said victims should remain the focus of discussions and policies.
He explained that affected families have suffered deep emotional and economic losses.
“Those who have lost family and livelihoods are not just statistics,” he stated.
ParaMallam also urged Nigerians across ethnic groups to unite in the search for peace.
Participants Demand Stronger Collaboration
Participants at the meeting agreed that stronger cooperation between government agencies, communities and civil society groups remains essential to ending insecurity in the region.
They also called for justice, accountability and better protection for vulnerable communities.
The Middle Belt has faced repeated attacks linked to communal clashes, banditry and reprisals for several years. The violence has displaced thousands of residents and destroyed properties and livelihoods across affected states.
