Plateau Killings: Gov Mutfwang Talks Tough After Presidential Directive

Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has vowed to take all necessary steps to prevent a recurrence of the recent deadly attacks that have left dozens dead and hundreds displaced across the state. His remarks follow a directive from President Bola Tinubu urging the state government to address the deep-rooted communal issues fueling violence in the region.

In a statement issued after an expanded security council meeting on Monday, Mutfwang condemned the latest attack on a community in Bassa Local Government Area, which occurred in the early hours of April 14. According to the governor, over a hundred armed assailants stormed the area, killing several residents and destroying numerous homes.

The governor disclosed that security chiefs and local government chairmen attended the meeting to assess the situation and coordinate a response. “We are working diligently to establish exactly what happened and why, so that we can respond appropriately and prevent such incidents in the future,” Mutfwang stated.

He emphasized that his administration is fully committed to restoring peace and stability across Plateau and will not shy away from taking far-reaching measures to ensure that such tragedies do not happen again.

“We will go to any length necessary to prevent a recurrence,” Mutfwang said. “I want to reassure the people of Plateau State that we are firmly in control of the situation.”

The governor also urged residents to remain calm and refrain from retaliatory attacks, which could worsen tensions. He thanked community youths for heeding calls for restraint and stressed the importance of intelligence sharing. “If you come across any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, please report it to the authorities. We are committed to protecting the sources of such information,” he said.

Mutfwang revealed that a comprehensive plan to address the crisis will be shared with the public during a scheduled state broadcast on Tuesday. He added that the government is intensifying efforts to improve intelligence gathering and coordination among security agencies.

Offering his condolences to the bereaved families, the governor said, “We continue to pray that God will comfort the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident.”

Human rights group Amnesty International reported on Monday that the death toll from the latest Bassa attack has risen to 54, with many residents now displaced and fearful of further violence.

In the wake of these events, President Tinubu called on Mutfwang to take decisive action to resolve the “age-long” communal conflicts contributing to the unrest in Plateau.