Stakeholders and victims of violent attacks in Nigeria’s Middle Belt are calling for immediate and coordinated measures to stop the ongoing killings in the region.
The demand was made during a town hall meeting organised by News Central TV in Jos on Thursday. The event, held in Plateau State and themed “The Middle Belt Question: Why Does the Violence Persist”, brought together community leaders, victims of violence, security officials, and civil society groups to discuss the crisis.
Representing Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the Commissioner for Information, Joyce Ramnap, said the state government is committed to tackling the underlying causes of the violence. She stated:
“We cannot continue to normalise bloodshed. Government is working with security agencies and community structures to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable and that displaced communities can return safely,” Ramnap said.
The General Overseer of Evangelical Bible Outreach Ministries, Prophet Isa Elbuba, described the situation as a moral test for the country, saying:
“This is beyond politics. It is about humanity. If we do not rise now to protect innocent lives, history will judge us harshly,” he said.
Dr. Julie Sanda, Director General of the Plateau Peace Building Agency, emphasized the importance of early warning systems and rapid response, noting that many attacks could be prevented if action is taken in time.
“We have the data, we have the warnings. What we need is swift action before these attacks happen, not after,” she noted.
Dr. Gideon ParaMallam, a peace advocate and President of the Gideon and Funmi ParaMallam Peace Foundation, stressed that victims should remain central to policy discussions:
“Those who have lost family and livelihoods are not just statistics. Their pain must drive policy and intervention,” he stated.
Some victims at the gathering shared personal stories of losing relatives and being displaced, urging authorities to prioritise protection and justice rather than making statements alone.
Kayode Akintemi, Managing Director of News Central TV, said the town hall was designed to promote dialogue and solutions around insecurity in Plateau State. He added:
“We are here to find solutions to the challenge of insecurity that we have in Plateau state .
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“We must find solution for ensuring Peace in the middle Belt”
He added that the media must continue to amplify victims’ voices and push for accountability, warning that discussions must not end without action.
Participants collectively agreed on the need for stronger cooperation between communities, civil society, and government to address insecurity, rebuild trust, and ensure justice for affected populations.
The Middle Belt has long experienced repeated violent incidents linked to communal clashes, banditry, and reprisals, resulting in deaths, displacement, and destruction of livelihoods, a situation that continues to raise national concern.