In a dramatic escalation of the state’s response to persistent violence, the Plateau State Government has officially declared a “state of war” against terrorists and non-state actors. The declaration follows an emergency session of the State Security Council held on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at the Rayfield Government House in Jos.
Addressing the press following the high-stakes meeting, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Samuel Jatau, delivered a sobering assessment of the state’s security architecture. He stated that the council had critically appraised the events of the last four months, concluding that Plateau has been under a “coordinated siege” by enemies of the state.
A State Under Siege
The emergency meeting was attended by the 17 Local Government Area Chairmen, top security chiefs, and the Chairman of the Plateau State Joint Traditional Council, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba. The consensus among the leadership was clear: the time for “containment” has passed, and the era of “confrontation” has begun.
“Plateau State is in a state of war with terrorists and enemies of the state,” Jatau declared. “Council identified and totally agreed that the state has been under siege in the last four months with evidence of coordinated attacks unleashed on our people. We are not only determined to secure the land but bound to deliver this mandate.”
The Battle Plan: Reclaiming the Land
To match the rhetoric with action, the Security Council rolled out a multi-pronged enforcement strategy aimed at stripping terrorists of their tactical advantages:
-
Total Reclamation: Security agencies have been mandated to reclaim all “ungoverned spaces” and government institutions currently occupied or threatened by bandits.
-
Logistics Surge: The government has approved the immediate provision of additional motorcycles and specialized vehicles to security agencies to enhance rapid response in difficult terrains.
-
Activity Bans: A strict enforcement of the ban on motorcycles, night grazing, and illegal mining was reaffirmed. These activities are viewed by the council as primary triggers and covers for insurgent movements.
-
Drug Crackdown: In a notable addition, the state has declared war on drug dealers and users, identifying a direct link between narcotics and the brutality of the attackers.
Warning to Perpetrators
The SSG further warned that the era of blocking highways in protest or as a criminal act is over. “Henceforth, any blockage of highways by any group will be treated as criminality, and perpetrators will face the full wrath of the law,” he said. As the farming season approaches, the council emphasized that farmlands must be made safe to prevent a looming food security crisis.TFWANG
