By: Zagazola Makama
As Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary, Zagazola Makama has called on communities across Plateau State to embrace peace, mutual respect and dialogue, warning that continued communal violence is undermining the state’s social cohesion, economic recovery and prospects for development.
Zagazola said the recurring violence in parts of Plateau, particularly across Mangu, Bokkos and Barkin Ladi, must no longer be treated as an unavoidable feature of community life.
He said the state belongs to all its citizens—irrespective of ethnicity, religion, occupation or community—and that ordinary Berom, Mwaghavul, Fulani and other residents should not be made to pay the price for the actions of armed individuals and criminal groups.
According to him, the cycle of attack, reprisal, cattle rustling, destruction of property, killings and retaliatory attacks has created an environment where fear and suspicion increasingly replace trust between communities.
He stressed that collective blame is dangerous, because crimes committed by individuals should not be used to justify punishment against entire ethnic or religious communities.
“Plateau cannot achieve lasting peace through revenge. A killing cannot be corrected by another killing, and the destruction of one community cannot justify the destruction of another.
“What the people need now is a new culture of dialogue, accountability and coexistence, where criminals are isolated and prosecuted while innocent citizens are protected,” he said.
Zagazola also urged community leaders, religious institutions, youth organisations and traditional rulers to reject inflammatory rhetoric and the spread of unverified information, particularly on social media.
He noted that in a fragile security environment, rumours and exaggerated claims can quickly transform local disputes into wider communal confrontations.
He called for greater confidence-building between communities, including regular inter-community meetings, early-warning mechanisms, protection of farmers and pastoralists, and rapid intervention whenever tensions emerge.
According to him, security forces also have an important responsibility to remain professional, impartial and firm in protecting citizens, while ensuring that perpetrators of violence are investigated and brought before the law regardless of their identity or affiliation.
He further appealed to the Plateau State Government and relevant security agencies to sustain dialogue with affected communities and strengthen mechanisms for the peaceful resolution of disputes over farmland, grazing routes, settlements, property and other sources of tension.
“Plateau does not need another generation growing up believing that their neighbours are their enemies.
“The future of the state depends on whether its people can rise above the grievances of the past and build a society where a child can grow up knowing that a Berom, Mwaghavul, Fulani, Hausa, Igbo or any other Nigerian is first a fellow citizen and neighbour,” he said.
Zagazola said Nigeria’s Independence Anniversary should remind citizens that nation-building is not only the responsibility of governments and security agencies, but also of communities and individuals.
He urged Plateau residents to use the anniversary as an opportunity to reject violence, protect one another and restore the bonds of trust that have been weakened by years of communal conflict.
He said peace should not merely mean the absence of gunshots, but the presence of justice, trust, security, opportunity and peaceful coexistence.
“Plateau has suffered enough. The time has come for communities to choose dialogue over revenge, justice over jungle justice, coexistence over segregation and development over destruction.
“Ending communal violence is not a favour to any ethnic or religious group. It is an investment in the future of every citizen of Plateau State,” Zagazola said.
