Tinubu Sends Peace Emissary to Plateau to Strengthen Community Dialogue
19th November 2025
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has deployed a peace emissary to Plateau State as part of renewed efforts to stabilise the region and ease long-standing tensions between farming and pastoralist communities.
Dr. Abiodun Essiet, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement for the North Central Zone, arrived in the state last Thursday for a two-day peace mission. Her visit included meetings with Christian leaders, Fulani representatives, traditional rulers, women’s groups, and youth organisations.
Essiet convened a town hall meeting in Jos, drawing participants from all 17 Local Government Areas. Discussions focused on strengthening community-based peace structures and enhancing coexistence among Plateau’s diverse ethnic and religious groups.
During a courtesy visit to Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo, Chairman of the Regional Church Council in Barkin Ladi, Essiet emphasised the role of faith leaders in advancing unity and social development. Dachomo, a prominent voice for Christian communities in the state, joined her in addressing a group of widows, delivering the President’s message of reconciliation.
The envoy also met Fulani Miyetti Allah leaders in Barkin Ladi, where talks centred on fostering trust and dialogue between herders and farmers. She later facilitated a workshop on establishing sustainable peace committees across the state’s 17 LGAs.
In a separate closed-door session, Essiet brought together representatives of the Irigwe community, the Miyetti Allah group, and the Bassa LGA Youth Council. The meeting examined ways to strengthen the existing 17-member peace committee and sustain reconciliation efforts between the two communities.
Essiet reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to inclusive governance and long-term stability in the North Central region, highlighting community-driven peace structures as essential to achieving durable harmony.
A notable breakthrough during the visit was the resolution of a dispute in Gyel district of Jos South between Agha Farm owner David Toma and a group of herdsmen. After Toma seized two cows over damage to his farm, MACBAN Bassa LGA Chairman Alhaji Isah Yau paid N500,000 compensation on November 15, leading to the release of the cattle. Both parties signed an agreement pledging to maintain peace.
The Presidency described the intervention as an example of the quick wins possible through strengthened grassroots engagement.
