Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has raised concerns over the increasing religiously motivated violence in Nigeria, revealing that over 6,000 people were killed in 2023 alone. Speaking at the National Christian Leaders FORB Conference in Abuja, Mutfwang, represented by Attorney-General Philemon Daffi, emphasized the need for coordinated national action to prevent further bloodshed.
Citing data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), he noted that most fatalities occurred in the Middle Belt, where conflicts are often framed in religious and ethnic terms. He urged the Federal Government to establish a multi-agency Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) system to detect and de-escalate tensions before they escalate into violence.
Mutfwang highlighted reports from the International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law, stating that attacks often involve the destruction of worship centers and the displacement of communities. He criticized structural discrimination, including state funding of pilgrimages and public office reservations along religious lines, which undermines constitutional neutrality.
The governor lamented what Amnesty International describes as a “climate of impunity,” where investigations into mass killings are often slow or ineffective, eroding public confidence in the justice system. He recommended creating dedicated units within Ministries of Justice to monitor and prosecute cases of religious violations and suggested amendments to criminal laws to close gaps in safeguarding freedoms.
He called for early intervention and legal accountability to secure peaceful religious practice, alongside interfaith dialogue, civic education, and anti-intolerance campaigns.
Dr. Gloria Pulda, President of the LEAH Foundation, emphasized the need to unite Christian leaders against religious violence, with plans for similar sessions for Muslim and traditional leaders. She renewed calls for the release of Leah Sharibu, who remains in captivity due to her refusal to renounce her Christian faith, stating that her situation represents all individuals still held captive.
