Utweets
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has urged communities within the state to take responsibility for their own protection amid a surge in violent attacks, many of which have been attributed to suspected armed herders....CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE>>>
Reports indicate that in the last two weeks alone, over 100 lives have been lost in brutal assaults in Bassa Local Government Area. The most recent incident occurred early Monday morning when armed assailants struck the Zike and Kimakpa communities in Kwall District, Iregwe Chiefdom, leaving more than 50 people dead and widespread property destruction in their wake.
Governor Mutfwang, while visiting the affected areas on Tuesday, expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence, which he said has stifled Plateau’s economic progress and destabilized its communities. He disclosed that upon taking office in 2023, his administration prioritized the deployment of advanced technology to combat insecurity.
“From day one, we invested significantly in tech-based solutions to counter the violence threatening our people,” the governor said, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He lamented that terrorism and insecurity have robbed Plateau of its agricultural productivity and natural wealth, preventing residents from farming or pursuing livelihoods. “The level of insecurity is not only heartbreaking but unacceptable. Our people are unable to go about their daily lives. Nonetheless, we are committed to ending this tragic cycle,” Mutfwang stated.
While sympathizing with families affected by the attacks, the governor pledged to hold the culprits accountable. He acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s support and called on the security forces to ramp up their efforts in protecting vulnerable communities.
Accompanied by top security officials, Mutfwang reassured residents that the government is actively addressing past security failures. “We’re working hand in hand with security agencies to ensure this never repeats,” he said.
Despite government backing for the military and law enforcement, Mutfwang argued that real security must begin at the grassroots level. “Let’s be clear: while the government will do its part, lasting safety will only come when communities take charge of their own defense,” he said.
He emphasized that his administration would not tolerate anarchy but also insisted that communities could no longer afford to be complacent. “This doesn’t mean endorsing lawlessness. But it’s time to wake up. Our people, especially the youth, must step up to protect their homes,” he urged.
Governor Mutfwang’s comments echo earlier warnings from leaders like former Army Chief Theophilus Danjuma, who have also encouraged self-defense in the face of government security lapses. However, critics worry that such appeals could worsen insecurity by encouraging the proliferation of arms among civilians.
For more than ten years, communities across northern Nigeria—including Plateau, Benue, Taraba, Kaduna, and Niger—have been ravaged by recurring violence. These attacks often stem from disputes over land use, grazing rights between herders and farmers, and deeper ethno-religious tensions. Despite various military operations and security interventions, the bloodshed persists…CONTINUE READING>>
