Plateau State government starts giving N1.5 billion to victims of attacks

The Plateau State Government has started sharing N1.5 billion in humanitarian aid to families hit by violent attacks in five local government areas.

Gyang Bere, who is the Director of Press and Public Affairs to Governor Caleb Mutfwang, shared this in a statement on Monday. He explained that the aid includes N1 billion donated by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu through the Renewed Hope Initiative and N500 million from the state government.

The funds were given to beneficiaries at the Government House in Jos on Monday. A total of 1,571 households in Bassa, Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, and Mangu were chosen for this first phase.

According to Mr. Bere, this first phase offers direct financial help to heads of the affected households. He added that the next phase will focus on helping communities recover and rebuild.

Governor Mutfwang stated that the state government will partner with affected communities, traditional leaders, and security agencies to ensure safe returns and restore livelihoods where security allows.

“The true measure of this intervention will not simply be what happens within these walls today. Its real success will be seen when our communities are able to stand again, livelihoods are restored, families can return home safely, and people can live together in peace and dignity,” Mr. Mutfwang said.

This aid comes at a time when violence has increased in Plateau, with many communities reporting killings and displacement in recent weeks.

At least nine people, including a pastor, were reportedly killed in different attacks in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, and nearby communities between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Five people were killed at Gana-Ropp in Barkin Ladi on Saturday night. Two others, including a pastor, were reported killed at Dorowa Babuje while on their way to church. Additional killings happened in Baten Wereng in Riyom and Ratyidi in Fan District.

These latest attacks followed several incidents reported between September 13 and 19. Nine people were killed during an attack on a commercial vehicle at Dungus in Kuru District, Jos South.

Three people were also killed and seven others injured, including a seven-month-old baby, during a shooting at a farmers' market in Mangu. This ongoing violence has affected lives, movement, and access to communities. The state government imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, and Mangu on Monday.

The government also banned motorcycle use in these three local government areas and ordered security agencies to enforce these rules.

Mr. Bere said beneficiaries were picked through an identification and verification process that involved local government councils and other stakeholders.

Sam Godongs, Director-General of the Directorate of Research, Government House, Jos, said the process looked at household information, losses suffered, and relevant documentation.

He mentioned that the second phase will focus on community recovery. Affected communities will be expected to identify their priority needs through their local government councils.

This needs assessment could help guide further support, including infrastructure projects, as part of the planned rebuilding process.

The state’s Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Kacholom Gang, said the government will keep supporting those affected by humanitarian issues.

This aid is coming amid repeated attacks that have forced many residents from their homes and disrupted economic activities in the affected areas. The government said this assistance aims to provide immediate relief while also helping restore livelihoods and rebuild communities when security conditions improve.