Brig. Gen. G. Shipi (rtd), Special Adviser on Security to Plateau State Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has stated that the Fulani are among the indigenes of the state.
He dismissed claims to the contrary, urging those holding such views to recognise the Fulani as an integral part of Plateau State.
Shipi made the remarks on Wednesday during a one-day sensitisation programme on peace and peaceful coexistence at the Sharna Palace, Jos, which brought together Fulani men and women from all 17 local government areas of the state.
He cautioned against bypassing state authorities when reporting incidents, noting that some people go directly to the military or police without informing the government’s representatives.
“Whenever something happens, you see people rushing to inform the soldiers or the police, but they will not tell me or the Plateau Peace Building Agency. We are the representatives of the government, not the soldiers. If your cattle are rustled or killed and you don’t tell us but rush to the GOC, you later claim the government has done nothing about it. The truth is, you didn’t inform the government,” Shipi said.
“People should always be patient. The governor has listening ears. I promise to report all your complaints to him,” he assured, cautioning group leaders to be mindful of their utterances for the sake of peace and unity in the state.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the Plateau Peace Building Agency, Julie Sanda, warned against retaliatory violence, noting that reprisals would not address the root causes of the state’s long-standing conflicts. She instead advocated for dialogue and other non-violent approaches to resolving disputes.
“Dialogue and other non-violent means are the way forward. Let us live together. Conflict will always exist, but how we resolve it is the real challenge. The issue of reprisal will not help us.
“We need peace so that we can work towards economic development. We should all be on the same side.
“Let us call a crime a crime, involve law enforcement, and stop taking the law into our own hands. One of our core values is inclusion; we don’t want anyone left behind,” Sanda said.
