The Challenge of Peace Building among Christians and Muslims in Plateau State

A Theological Response

Abstract

Plateau state in Nigeria wrestles with recurrent crises that have different nomenclature titles such as religious crises, Fulani herdsmen-farmer clash and bandit attack. The players of the crises, the victims and perpetrators have always been linked to a religious group either Christians or Muslims. The challenge calls for pragmatic contribution in any way that addresses and promotes peaceful co-existence among Christians and Muslims in the state. The issue of peace-building is very critical for the survival and advancement of any given society. When there are challenges the goal is to surmount the challenges and to proffer solutions to the challenges. On the recurs of retrospection as to what the issue of peace has been on the Plateau and what it ought to be, the paper first attempted to take a critical analysis of the factors and components of the crises and the challenge of peace building in addressing it. A simple historical analysis of crises from archived records was use as somewhat methodology for this work. The historical analysis of the crises on the Plateau shows the emergence of the indigene-settlers issue as the bone of contention along with many other issues. The conclusion is for truth to prevail and for key players in the enterprise of peace on the Plateau to be actively awaken to the clarion call for the restoration of peaceful co-existence.