Senator Pam Mwadkon Dachungyang, who represents the Plateau North Senatorial District, has publicly criticized Professor Ayo Omotayo, the Director General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), regarding disparaging comments made about the Berom ethnic group.
During a recent television broadcast, Professor Omotayo identified individuals responsible for repeated attacks on the Kuru-based institute as a “Berom militia.” This characterization sparked immediate backlash.
In a formal response issued on Saturday, Senator Dachungyang stated that the Director General’s remarks were an affront to both the Berom people and the entirety of Plateau State. He emphasized that the Berom community is known for its hospitality and commitment to peaceful coexistence, noting that the group’s reputation should not be tarnished by baseless claims.
The Senator pointed out that the NIPSS has operated in the region since 1979 without any history of hostility from the local Kuru population. He highlighted that previous leadership at the institute maintained positive relations with the host community. Furthermore, Dachungyang suggested that the Director General might be using the “militia” label to deflect from legitimate local grievances regarding land compensation.
