Northern Christian leaders and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) have welcomed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to send a peace emissary to Plateau State amid persistent killings and insecurity in the region.
Chairman of the Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev Dr John Joseph Hayab, described the move as timely and commendable, noting that the President appeared to be seeking more accurate information about the crises.
“It is a good move and very commendable,” Hayab told LEADERSHIP. “There is nothing that brings healing like showing genuine concern for those being killed or their families. Our prayer is that those sent will be honest and truthful in their reports.”
Hayab emphasised that peace in Plateau, Zamfara, Benue, Southern Kaduna, and other affected areas would pave the way for meaningful development across the country.
Similarly, Rev Ezekiel Dachomo called for the federal government to openly acknowledge what he described as “Christian genocide” in Plateau State. He said his community was prepared to meet the government delegation but insisted that the truth must be admitted for progress to be made.
In its reaction, the Plateau State chapter of MACBAN expressed readiness to work with the emissary, praising the President for initiating dialogue. Yusuf Babayo, the association’s state chairman, said regular engagement could have prevented the crisis from escalating.
MACBAN’s national president, Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, also hailed the intervention, noting that the Plateau conflict is complex and requires consultations with all stakeholders. He urged neutral, inclusive dialogue that addresses land disputes, ethnic tensions, and retaliatory attacks.
He blamed some community, religious, and political leaders for escalating tensions and cautioned the media against biased narratives, insisting that pastoralists are also victims.
President Tinubu’s emissary, Dr Abiodun Essiet, spent two days in Plateau meeting Christian leaders, Fulani community heads, traditional rulers, youth groups, and peace committees. The engagements culminated in a town hall meeting aimed at strengthening community-based peace structures across the 17 LGAs.
A notable early gain was the peaceful resolution of a farm–herder dispute in Jos South, where MACBAN compensated a farmer N500,000 after his crops were destroyed, leading to the release of seized cattle.
Dr Essiet reaffirmed the President’s commitment to sustained dialogue, inclusiveness, and long-term peace in Plateau State.
