Plateau Residents Demand Action as Attacks, Killings Persist

Residents in Plateau State have called on Governor Caleb Mutfwang to take more proactive measures to address the attacks and killings ravaging parts of the state, rather than repeatedly issuing condolence messages after lives are lost.

 

The call followed a bloody weekend between Friday, September 11, and Sunday, September 13, during which about 21 people were reportedly killed in attacks across Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Jos South Local Government Areas.

 

The attacks were reportedly carried out by suspected Fulani extremists and local militia groups.

 

Reacting to the incidents in a statement on Monday, Mutfwang condemned the killings and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to peace and security in the state.

 

The governor said the attacks were deeply disturbing, particularly as the state government was working with security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders and other stakeholders to strengthen the state’s peace and security architecture.

 

According to him, the government’s efforts include sustained dialogue, intelligence sharing, community engagement and other proactive measures.

 

Mutfwang maintained that peace remained a priority of his administration, while the protection of lives and property was fundamental to its vision of rebuilding trust, restoring confidence and creating a secure environment for residents.

 

He said his administration was committed to creating conditions where citizens could live, farm, travel, invest and pursue their livelihoods without fear.

 

The governor also assured residents that security operatives were on the trail of the perpetrators and would apprehend them.

 

However, some residents criticised what they described as a recurring pattern and similar language in the governor’s statements following attacks.

 

They argued that the repeated assurances had yielded little tangible improvement, and urged the government to move beyond condemnations and condolence messages to stronger preventive measures capable of protecting communities from further attacks.