Stakeholders and victims of terror attacks from the Middle Belt have called for urgent and coordinated action to end the cycle of killings in the region.
They made the call during a town hall meeting convened by News Central TV in Jos on Thursday
The event, held in the Plateau State capital and themed “The Middle Belt Question: Why Does the Violence Persist”, brought together community leaders, victims of conflict, security agencies, and representatives of civil society organisations.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the Commissioner for Information, Joyce Ramnap, said the state government remained committed to addressing the root causes of the violence. “
“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 killings as a test of the nation’s conscience.
“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.
Director General of the Plateau Peace Building Agency, Dr. Julie Sanda, stressed the need for early warning and early response mechanisms.
“We have the data, we have the warnings. What we need is swift action before these attacks happen, not after,” she noted.
Peace advocate and President of the Gideon and Funmi ParaMallam Peace Foundation, Dr. Gideon ParaMallam, said victims’ voices must remain central to the conversation.
“Those who have lost family and livelihoods are not just statistics. Their pain must drive policy and intervention,” he stated.
Some victims at the event shared accounts of losing relatives and being displaced from their communities. They urged government and security agencies to prioritize protection and justice over rhetoric.
Managing Director of News Central TV, Kayode Akintemi, said the town hall was part of the station’s effort to create a platform for dialogue and solutions.
He said, “We are here to find solutions to the challenge of insecurity that we have in Plateau state .
“We are one wether Fulani,Igbo ,Yoruba ,Hausa everybody .
“We must find solution for ensuring Peace in the middle Belt
The media has a role to amplify the voices of those affected and to push for accountability. This conversation must not end here,” Akintemi said.
Participants agreed on the need for stronger collaboration between communities, civil society, and government to address insecurity, rebuild trust, and ensure justice for victims across the Middle Belt.
The Middle Belt region has for years grappled with recurring incidents of violent attacks, often linked to communal conflicts, banditry and reprisals, leading to loss of lives, displacement of communities and destruction of livelihoods.
The situation has continued to raise national concern over insecurity in the area.
