Plateau Begins ₦1.5bn Relief Fund Disbursement to 1,571 Attack-Affected Households
By Comfort Pius, Jos
The Plateau State Government has commenced the disbursement of ₦1.5 billion in humanitarian assistance to 1,571 households affected by violent attacks across five local government areas of the state.
The intervention comprises ₦1 billion donated by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, through the Renewed Hope Initiative, and an additional ₦500 million contributed by the Plateau State Government.
The funds were presented to verified beneficiaries at the Victoria Gowon Hall, Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos, on Monday, September 21, 2026.
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The beneficiaries were drawn from Bassa, Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu Local Government Areas.
Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang said the first phase of the intervention was designed to provide direct financial assistance to households affected by the attacks, while subsequent phases would focus on community recovery and rebuilding.
Mutfwang said the selection of the 1,571 households followed a verification process involving relevant stakeholders, assuring affected families that the government had not forgotten them.
He said the broader objective of the intervention was to support affected communities in recovering from the impact of violence, restoring livelihoods, and facilitating their safe return whenever security conditions permit.
The APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, commended Senator Tinubu for the intervention and Governor Mutfwang for contributing an additional ₦500 million to the relief effort.
Yilwatda urged the beneficiaries to use the funds prudently, particularly by investing in businesses and cooperative ventures capable of providing sustainable livelihoods.
Also speaking, the Director-General, Directorate of Research, Government House, Jos, Sam Godongs, explained that the beneficiaries were selected through a verification exercise involving the affected local government councils and other stakeholders.
Godongs said the second phase of the intervention would focus on community recovery, with affected communities expected to identify priority needs, including infrastructure, through their respective local councils.
The Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Kachollom Pyam Gang, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting citizens facing humanitarian challenges and ensuring the effective implementation of the programme.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Isaiaka Haruna expressed appreciation to Senator Tinubu and Governor Mutfwang for the intervention, saying it had renewed the hope of families affected by violence.
Haruna said the assistance would provide much-needed support to affected families as they continue to cope with the consequences of the attacks.
He appreciated the government and First Lady for remembering families who had suffered losses and appealed for continued support to enable affected communities to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.
The ceremony was attended by Deputy Governor Ngo Josephine Piyo, government officials, members of the National Assembly, and other stakeholders and ended with the presentation of cheques to the verified beneficiaries.