North-Central Security Summit Convenes in Jos: Stakeholders Unite to Address Regional Insecurity
The North-Central Zonal Public Hearing on the National Security Summit opened in Jos on Thursday, bringing together key stakeholders in a unified effort to tackle the persistent security challenges facing the region.
Held at Crispan Suites and Event Centre, the one-day summit provided a crucial platform for dialogue between government officials, security agencies, traditional and religious leaders, and civil society organizations.
The summit commenced with the arrival of dignitaries, followed by the National Anthem, an opening prayer, and formal introductions. Goodwill messages were delivered by the Chairman of the Plateau State Council of Traditional Rulers, representatives from both Christian and Muslim communities, and the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang, represented by his deputy, Her Excellency Ngo Josephine Piyo, officially declared the session open, setting a tone of urgency and hope for the proceedings.
In his remarks delivered through his deputy, Governor Mutfwang painted a sobering picture of the security situation in Plateau State. Over the years, hundreds of communities have been attacked and thousands of lives have been lost to violence and insecurity.
The governor described the summit as a timely intervention and commended the Senate for convening it, expressing confidence that the engagement would contribute significantly to finding lasting solutions to what he characterized as a national calamity. He cautioned against divisive rhetoric and urged Nigerians to unite in confronting the crisis.
Governor Mutfwang also expressed gratitude to Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio and other leaders of the National Assembly for hosting the summit in Jos, noting the city’s symbolic significance given its long history with security challenges.
The plenary session featured multiple presentations on the summit’s central theme: “The Way Forward in Tackling National Security Issues at the Local Level.” The diverse range of speakers ensured that various perspectives on security challenges were heard and considered.
Presentations were delivered by:
– Representatives of the Nigerian Army
– The Plateau State Commissioner of Police
– Paramilitary organizations (Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and Nigeria Customs Service)
– Traditional rulers from Plateau and neighboring states
– Religious leaders representing both Christian and Muslim communities
– Vigilante organizations involved in state security operations
– Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society organizations (CSOs)
– Opinion leaders from across the North-Central states
Each stakeholder group offered insights and recommendations for improving security at the grassroots level, addressing the unique challenges faced in their respective communities and sectors.
The summit was chaired by Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, Chairman of the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on the National Security Summit. Senate Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro was also in attendance, demonstrating bipartisan commitment to addressing the region’s security concerns.
The event concluded with closing remarks, a vote of thanks, and the National Anthem, marking the end of a day filled with frank discussions and collaborative problem-solving.
The summit represents more than just dialogue it signals a commitment to actionable strategies for restoring peace and stability across Plateau State and the broader North-Central region. By bringing together security forces, traditional institutions, religious organizations, and civil society under one roof, the forum created opportunities for coordinated responses to security threats.
The emphasis on local-level solutions acknowledges that sustainable security requires community involvement and grassroots engagement, not just top-down directives. The diverse participation ensures that solutions will be informed by multiple perspectives and grounded in the realities faced by ordinary citizens.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with complex security challenges, initiatives like the North-Central Security Summit offer hope that through unity, collaboration, and decisive action, lasting peace can be achieved in communities that have suffered too long from violence and insecurity.
