Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang has advocated a collective, coordinated approach to tackle the insecurity ravaging the North Central geopolitical zone.

Mr Mutfwang spoke on Monday as a panellist at the 2026 North Central Security Summit in Makurdi.

The governor stated that to address insecurity effectively, North Central states must work collaboratively.

He rejected the description of the violence as merely farmer-herder clashes, describing it instead as an invasion and a threat to communities and national sovereignty.

Mr Mutfwang cited attacks in Plateau, where vulnerable communities were reportedly targeted, questioning the identities, motives and origins of the attackers.

The governor said many displaced people cannot safely return home because adequate security has not been established.

“Leaders must confront insecurity with honesty and a sense of urgency because of its effects on poverty, economic deprivation and development.

“Security agencies must move beyond reactionary responses and trace attackers to their sources and routes.

“Attackers enter Plateau through routes linking North-West states, Taraba and Nasarawa, exploiting porous borders,” he stated.

He opposed negotiating with bandits, arguing that security agencies should flush them out and prevent them from establishing footholds.

Mr Mutfwang called for stronger collaboration among states, military formations, other security agencies, and neighbouring regions to stop attackers from moving into North Central.

The governor also advocated greater community involvement and empowerment, saying communities should serve as the first line of defence while working with formal security agencies.

He argued that insecurity should be treated as a collective threat to the nation’s existence and sovereignty, rather than as ordinary criminality.

The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, said the summit was organised to hear from the people of the region about the real threats on the ground and find common ground to address the challenges.

Mr Musa stated that everyone was interested in security in the region, and he commended the people for not giving up on themselves.

The minister stressed the need to keep farmers safe in their communities and farms while ensuring livestock production thrives without friction.

He pledged the federal government’s commitment to improving security across the nation and tackling challenges that undermine it.

 (NAN)