Tuesday, September 15, 2026 -A cross-section of residents in Plateau State have told Governor Caleb Mutfwang to take proactive measures against the violent attacks and killings currently ravaging the state instead of reeling out what they described as scripted condolence messages every time innocent people are killed by terrorists.
Following a bloody weekend between Friday, September 11, and
Sunday, September 13, when about 21 people were reportedly killed in attacks in
Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Jos South Local Government Areas by suspected
Fulani extremists and local militia gangs, Mutfwang, in a statement on Monday,
condemned the killings and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to peace
and security in the state.
The governor stated that the incidents were not only deeply
disturbing but came at a time when the state government was collaborating with
security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders and other
stakeholders to strengthen the peace and security architecture of the state
through sustained dialogue, intelligence sharing, community engagement and
other proactive measures.
Mutfwang also said peace remained a priority of his
administration, while the protection of lives and property remained fundamental
to its vision of rebuilding trust, restoring confidence and creating a secure
environment for citizens.
He added that his administration was committed to creating
conditions where citizens could live, farm, travel, invest and pursue their
livelihoods without fear, while assuring that security operatives were on the
trail of the perpetrators and would soon catch up with them.
However, despite the assurances from the governor, callers
to a radio programme on Monday evening were not impressed, with many saying the
government had failed in its primary duty of protecting the lives and property
of the people.
Some others condemned what they described as a regular
pattern and phraseology in Mutfwang’s statements, which they said were always
dusted off and delivered with the same assurances, with nothing being done in
the end.
First to fire the salvo was social activist Nanle Bamshak,
who accused Mutfwang of neglecting his duties to focus on his re-election in
2027.
“I am highly and seriously disappointed by Gov. Caleb
Mutfwang, especially in his handling of security issues in the state. This is a
man we supported and voted for massively because we all thought he would bring
an end to violence and killings in the state.
“But what we now have is a situation where he has abandoned
the same people who trusted and believed in him. All he is concerned at the
moment is to consolidate his political career and re-election in 2027 despite
the killings which are now almost a daily affair.”
Another caller, Peter Alamba, said:
“We are tired of Gov. Caleb Mutfwang’s regular and
rhetorical press statements and condolence messages whenever our people are
killed by terrorists. We need proactive action to stop the cycle of violence
and killings and not condolence messages and fake assurances of fighting
insecurity in the state.”
Polycarp Bitrus had this to say:
“I am disappointed in Gov. Caleb Mutfwang and the way he is
handling insecurity in the state. People are being killed every day,
communities are being sacked and occupied by Fulani bandits but our governor is
only concerned with his political ambition, only to come out with the same
scripted press statement. It is quite pathetic, to say the least.”
John Fadung also called in and said:
“Gov. Caleb Mutfwang has really disappointed those of us who
supported him and stood by him when he was contesting in 2023. We weathered
every storm, took insults and bullets for him. Even when he defected to the
APC, we still supported him but now, he has derailed and has shown that he is a
typical Nigerian politician who only cares about his political career and not a
true leader who has the interest of the people at heart.”
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