We’ll go to any length to prevent recurrence of Plateau attacks, says Mutfwang

Caleb Mutfwang, Plateau governor, says his administration is taking decisive steps to ensure the state does not experience a repeat of recent killings. 

Gunmen have killed more than 100 people in Plateau communities in two weeks.

In a post on X, Mutfwang said an expanded security council meeting was held on Monday with security chiefs and local government chairmen in attendance.

He said the meeting was convened in response to the latest attack that occurred on April 14.

“At around midnight, into the early hours of today, over a hundred bandits descended on one of the communities in Bassa local government area, leaving behind a trail of destruction, numerous lives lost and several houses destroyed,” he said.

“We have received detailed briefings from the heads of the various security agencies regarding the incident.

“We are working diligently to establish exactly what happened and why, so that we can respond appropriately and prevent such incidents in the future.”

He said calm has returned to the affected areas while urging residents to avoid retaliatory actions.

“We have engaged with the affected community, urging the people to remain calm and avoid any retaliatory actions that could further escalate tensions,” the governor said.

“We are grateful that the youths of the community listened to our appeal.”

Mutfwang said his administration is considering far-reaching measures to prevent future attacks.

He added that the full details would be made public in a broadcast scheduled for Tuesday.

“In the meantime, I want to reassure the people of Plateau state that we are firmly in control of the situation, and we will go to any length necessary to prevent a recurrence,” he said.

“I also want to encourage citizens across the state: if you come across any intelligence, no matter how insignificant it may seem, please report it to the authorities.

“We are committed to protecting the sources of information, ensuring that no life is at jeopardy.”

The governor said the state is working to improve intelligence gathering and coordination.

“By God’s grace, we are working to strengthen our capacity for intelligence gathering,” he added.

He offered prayers for the families of those who lost loved ones in the attack.

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

In a statement on Monday, Amnesty International said the death toll from the recent attack on the Plateau had risen to 54.

According to the rights group, hundreds of people have been displaced since the incident and residents are living in fear of the next possible attack.

On Friday, Solomon Dalung, a former minister of sports and chieftain of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), linked the spread of criminal groups across Nigeria to the war against terrorism in the north-east.

On Monday, President Bola Tinubu asked Mutfwang to address the “age-long” communal issues connected to killings in the state.