The North Central security summit in Jos gathers lawmakers and stakeholders to tackle escalating regional insecurity
It was reported on Thursday that the senate convened the North Central security summit in Jos, Plateau State, in response to the alarming escalation of violence across the region.
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The North Central zone, which includes Plateau, Niger, Kwara, Kogi, Benue and Nasarawa, has experienced a sharp rise in deadly attacks.
In Plateau State alone, more than 420 communities have come under assault in the past decade, with over twelve thousand people killed, a toll described as deeply distressing by participants at the summit.
Leading the Senate delegation, Senator Abba Moro stressed that national security requires joint effort rather than reliance solely on the military or security agencies.
He lamented the impact of insurgency, militancy, banditry and kidnapping, saying the summit was intended to develop practical and workable proposals informed by security experts, traditional rulers, civil society groups, community leaders and survivors of violence.
He assured attendees that their contributions would shape the committee’s recommendations to the Senate, influencing legislative action, budget allocation and broader policy reforms aimed at strengthening the national security architecture.
Moro added that the resolutions would help build a more sustainable and comprehensive national security strategy.
The senator highlighted that communities must remain alert, state governments must reinforce local security structures, the private sector should enter strategic collaborations and the Federal Government must continue modernising security institutions to meet evolving threats.
In his remarks, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the devastating loss of life and livelihoods, attributing the insecurity to land and political disputes, rising population pressures and criminal activity.
Represented by his deputy, Josephine Piyo, he urged citizens to move beyond religious and ethnic blame games and unite in confronting what he described as a destructive force tearing through the region.
Stakeholders drawn from traditional institutions, youth groups, academia, security agencies and opinion leaders attended the one-day summit.
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They are expected to produce key recommendations on the most effective strategies to curb insecurity and stabilise the North Central region.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
