PLATEAU PEACE BUILDING AGENCY (PPBA)
Office of the Executive Governor,
Plateau State.
...towards a Plateau at Peace with itself and the rest of the world.
As part of its efforts towards ensuring full implementation of the Expression of Commitment to Peace Document signed by parties to the conflict in Bassa LGA in 2022, the Plateau Peace-Building Agency (PPBA) undertook an on-the-spot assessment of the destruction of cultivated farmlands that took place on Sunday 28 July 2023.
The inspection took the PPBA team, comprising the representative of the Director General, management staff and Team Leads, in company of representatives of the Transition Implementation Committee Chairman and Supervisory Councilor for Health, Hon. Sunday Wada; Chairman (Mr. Kandi Musa) and members of the Irigwe and Fulani Peace and Security Committee (vested with the responsibility of implementing agreement reached between Irigwe and Fulani in 2022), round some of the destroyed farmlands in Nkyenzhwe community. An estimated 56 farmlands were affected.
The visit was aimed at gathering more insights and different perspectives from victims as the team engaged leaders from both Irigwe and Fulani ethnic groups to help in de-escalating tension generated by the incident.<
Despite the large-scale destruction to cultivated crops by cattle, it is heartwarming to note the proactive response of the Sector 3 Commander, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), leaders and members of the Irigwe and Fulani Peace and Security Committee who were on ground to engage other stakeholders in finding amicable resolution to the situation.
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The Director Administration, Mr. Elkanah Izam who represented the PPBA DG decried the level of destruction to the farms but quickly expressed satisfaction that the people did not allow the unfortunate situation to degenerate into violence. He conveyed the DG’s commendation to the joint Peace and Security Committee for their prompt response and unwavering commitment to peace and urged all parties concerned to embrace dialogue and other peaceful means of resolving the situation.
Izam maintained that the DG, PPBA, Dr. Julie Sanda was not unmindful of the recent incident that led to the killing of one of the members of the committee, Mr. Yakubu Muhammed on July 18, 2024 by retrogressive elements even as she urged them to remain resolute in the task of restoring and maintaining the peace in the locality so that the “death of Yakubu will not be in vain”.
At the end of the assessment, the community recommended that the 17-man Committee intensify their efforts at mitigating future occurrences as they believe that the Expression of Commitment to Peace Document is still relevant not only in addressing conflict triggers but also in facilitating sustainable peace in the chiefdom and Bassa LGA as a whole.
For incident and early warning report, please call PPBA Hotlines:09031038918; 09031038919