According to Daily Trust on Sunday, August 9, 2026, former Plateau State Governor Jonah David Jang has said insecurity and banditry in the state are longstanding problems that have defied resolution across successive administrations, describing the various efforts made to address the crisis as ineffective.
Jang made the remarks during President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Jos following a fresh wave of attacks in parts of the state. Plateau, long known as the “Home of Peace and Tourism,” continues to grapple with recurring violence, particularly in rural communities, resulting in loss of life, displacement of families and destruction of homes and livelihoods.
The former governor attributed the unrest largely to expansionist motives and land grabbing, noting that political and religious undertones have compounded the problem over the years. He called for the creation of a special intervention fund to rebuild affected communities and support victims of the attacks.
Jang emphasized the need to address the root causes of the crisis to achieve lasting peace, stressing that residents remain resilient and committed to unity and national progress despite the recurring violence. He warned that recent attacks in the heart of Jos point to the growing boldness of perpetrators and called for a shift from reactive responses to proactive, intelligence-driven security strategies.
While acknowledging efforts already made by the federal government and security agencies, Jang urged more decisive and sustained action, including increased deployment of security personnel, improved intelligence gathering and coordinated operations to dismantle criminal networks. He also welcomed plans to recruit forest guards but advised that recruitment should prioritize locals familiar with the terrain, arguing that this approach would strengthen the response where previous efforts have fallen short.
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