Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has addressed the ongoing security issues in the state, particularly in Bokkos Local Government Area.
He described the recent attacks as deliberate acts of violence aimed at displacing local communities for land acquisition.
The Governor acknowledged the support from President Bola Tinubu, the Chief of Defence Staff, and other security agencies, including the deployment of additional resources to the affected areas.
Mutfwang confirmed reports of multiple casualties, with the death toll nearing 60, though he cautioned that official numbers were still being verified.
The attacks began in Ruwi, a community where locals were mourning the loss of a loved one, and escalated later in the afternoon.
The Governor emphasized that these attacks were carried out by terrorist groups rather than being acts of revenge or community clashes.
The perpetrators, disguised as herders, have been using sophisticated weapons, and their ultimate goal appears to be land acquisition due to the region’s fertile soil and mineral resources.
Mutfwang discussed the government’s efforts to protect farmers by deploying Agro-Rangers to deter these violent groups. Despite some success in stabilizing the area, the recent attacks have disrupted the relative peace.
He also pointed out that these attacks are not random but rather part of a coordinated effort to take over land, with over 64 communities currently occupied by bandits and displaced residents.
The Governor described the situation as genocide, as communities are being systematically displaced.
He raised concerns about illegal mining, arms trafficking, and the lack of a strong criminal justice system, where suspects are often released due to political interference.
Mutfwang also advocated for the establishment of state police to address the ongoing violence more effectively.
Regarding the identities of the attackers, Mutfwang noted that many of them speak languages not native to the region, suggesting they could be from other parts of Nigeria or even neighboring countries.
He called for a coordinated national effort to tackle this growing threat, which he believes is spreading beyond Plateau to other parts of the North Central region.
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