Tag: Mutfwang

Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb  Mutfwang, has extended his warm felicitations to the Muslim Ummah in Plateau State and around the world on the occasion of Eid El- Kabir.

In a goodwill message to mark the celebration, Governor Mutfwang urged the Muslim faithful to continue to embody the spirit of sacrifice, obedience, and unwavering faith as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim.

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He called on the Ummah to use the sacred occasion to offer prayers for lasting peace and unity in Plateau State and the nation at large.

The Governor, in a statement by his spokesman, Dr. Gyang Here, emphasised the importance of interfaith harmony and collective responsibility in building a united and prosperous Plateau.

He encouraged the Muslim community to work in synergy with fellow citizens towards the shared goal of a peaceful and progressive society.

• Tor Tiv meets Benue stakeholders in search of peace

Governors Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau) and Hycinth Alia (Benue) yesterday reviewed the festering attacks by gunmen on their states and renewed their call on the Federal Government and stakeholders to wade in.

While Mutfwang challenged stakeholders in his state to  ‘’come together and speak with one voice’’ to tame ‘’the  elephant in our room,’’  Alia said the  Federal Government must up its game against ‘’this insurgents.’’

Also yesterday,  worried church leaders in  Jos led a peace walk, demanding an end to the attacks and killings in the state.

In Gboko, Alia and prominent Tiv sons and daughters, including former Governor Samuel Ortom and former   Justice Minister   Mike Aondoakaa, met at the Palace of the Tor Tiv, James Ayatse, over the security situation in the state. 

The Tor Tiv is Tivs paramount traditional ruler.

Mutfwang, in an address at a meeting he had with Plateau stakeholders, said over 100 lives were lost to the recent attacks in communities in the state. He restated that the state was under siege.

Lamenting that most council areas in the three senatorial zones had been hit by gunmen, believed to be herders, he described a particular community, Panda, as ‘’a sort of stock exchange for ransom transactions.’’

He said:  “You are aware of the events of the last three weeks, which have once again pushed our state to the front burner of national discourse—unfortunately, for the wrong reasons.

“From January 2024 till February 2025, even though there were sporadic incidents here and there, we did not experience anything close to the magnitude of what has recently occurred—first in a community called Ruwi in Bokkos, and then it spread to other parts. Just over 10 days ago, it extended into the Bassa Local Government Area. At the last count, we have probably lost well over 100 people.

“This has not only disturbed Mr. President(Bola Ahmed Tinubu)—it’s true, Mr. President called me for a briefing. I gave him the brief, and since then, we have been working around the clock with security agencies to bring the situation under control.

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“If you search online, you’ll find that the dominant impression about Plateau State is that it is no longer a land of peace.

“If we begin to count the losses we’ve suffered—right from the time the Jos Main Market was destroyed till now—we’ll find that even our food production has been on the decline.

“Today, there is no senatorial zone in this state that is without its share of conflict.

“In Wase, for instance, a grazing reserve was developed as far back as the days of Northern Nigeria. In the last 10 years or more, that area has been inaccessible.

“Kanam has also come under siege. The intelligence we are getting from Panda is very disturbing—it has become a haven for kidnappers and a sort of stock exchange for ransom transactions. 

“Perhaps the only local governments in the Southern Zone that have been somewhat spared are Langtang South, Langtang North, and Mikang.

‘’Coming to the Central Zone, you know that Bokkos and Mangu have been severely hit, particularly in the last two years. Bokkos has been a recurring decimal for over a decade, and Mangu has now joined. The crisis has even spread into Pankshin. Kanke is not spared either—reports of kidnappings there are becoming alarming.

“In the Northern Zone, perhaps the only local government that might appear relatively calm is Jos North. But that does not mean Jos North has been spared. One of the most dangerous cultic groups—Sarasuka—operates there, and we have been trying to tackle them. That cult group has taken many lives.

“Yelwa, bordering Riyom, and those border communities in Jos South have come under tremendous siege recently, much less areas that have experienced long-term instability. In essence, Plateau is under siege. Why us? Who is behind this? Where are they coming from? Who is sponsoring them? What is their aim?

“These are questions I thought I should not answer alone. I felt I should gather the leaders of Plateau so we could put our heads together.

‘’For how long shall this continue? Yes, as governor, I know that I owe the people of this state the responsibility of working in tandem with federal security agencies to bring about peace. ‘’We have never rested on our oars. Apart from engaging community leaders, we have also made kinetic interventions—supporting security agencies with logistics to help them carry out their constitutional responsibilities.

“Yet, we are still not out of the woods.

 “Perhaps one reason this has persisted is because we have, for a long time, failed to come together as Plateau people to speak with one voice. When this crisis started, it was seen as a Tarok problem. Later, it became a Berom problem. Today, none of us has been spared—but it seems we are still acting like every man for himself.

“  I appreciate those who have chosen to set aside political, religious, and ethnic differences to speak for Plateau. Our people are bleeding and our people are crying.

‘’Despite our best efforts, we have not yet been able to focus on our main objective in governance. 

‘’We cannot move forward unless we tame this elephant in the room that has haunted our state for the last two to three decades.

“I believe the time has come. We must rise together and ensure that this blessed land God gave us is preserved and that we maximise the blessings embedded in it.   But we must re-strategise.

“While I am open to suggestions—because I don’t possess a monopoly of wisdom—I also believe we have a duty to speak up.  

  ‘’How can bandits occupy the Wase grazing reserve, and someone calls that a clash? How can they be in the forests in Kanam, and someone says it is a clash?

 “I look forward to the day when, regardless of religion or ethnicity, any of us is attacked and we all speak with one voice  ‘’If we don’t speak with one voice, many advisers will mislead Mr. President into believing we are the aggressors or that we are intolerant. We must come together.

  ‘’Let’s make hay while the sun shines. Let’s arise and preserve this land, so that we can have a future.’’ 

Church leaders lead peace walk in Jos, demand end to killings 

Thousands of Christians under the umbrella of the Church Denominational Leaders Forum on the Plateau, who held a peace walk in   Jos, called for an end to the killings in the state.

 They displayed placards with inscriptions such as “ we will not be silent, while our people are slaughtered” “The Ground Cries Blood,” “Every Human Life Matters,” “We Deserve to Live,” and “No More Silence, Peace Now”, “ That they die not in vain, we walk for peace.

The walk began at Fwavvel Junction and ended at the Government House, where they were received by Governor   Mutfwang.

Amos Mohzo, chairman of the forum, while delivering a letter to President   Tinubu through   Mutfwang,   said the protest was a solemn response to the killings.

He said:   “We are tired of mass burials. Enough is enough.   

“This is not a communal crisis; it is a brutal campaign against innocent lives in Plateau.’’

 Mohzo called on the Federal Government to show stronger political will and commitment to protect lives and property in the state.

 Mutfwang assured them that the attackers would be apprehended.

“I did not become governor to observe burial ceremonies. I came for the glory of Plateau to be restored,” he said.

 He told the protesters that  the President   had given his word that  decisive steps to end the killings  would be taken.

Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has called for support for the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang in his efforts to address the current security challenge in the state.

NGF’s Chairman Abdulrahman
Abdulrazaq made the call during a visit to Plateau State on Thursday.

In a statement by the NGF secretariat, Governor Abdulrazaq was quoted as saying: “We call on leaders and influencers across all communities and sectors in Plateau to join His Excellency in the task of uniting the people and restoring
sustainable peace.

“Leaders, including youth leaders, should come together to speak
strongly against violence of any kind.”

Read Also: Plateau killings: A campaign of ethnic cleansing, says Mutfwang

The statement quoted Abdulrazaq to have said: “On behalf of the Nigeria
Governors’ Forum and the people of our states, I bring you sincere words of condolences on the unfortunate events in which many of our compatriots have lost
their lives.

“We call on leaders and influencers across all communities and sectors in Plateau to join His Excellency in the task of uniting the people and restoring
sustainable peace.

“Leaders, including youth leaders, should come together to speak
strongly against violence of any kind.

“We urge that we resolve our differences through dialogue, fair negotiations, mutual respect, and perspective taking.

“Sustainable development can be a mirage in an atmosphere of tension and violence.

“Plateau is full of potentials especially in agriculture and tourism. But these potentials
could be affected negatively if we allow violence or threats of it to define how people see our communities.

“We commend His Excellency the Governor for his leadership at this critical moment. Our visit is to express our solidarity with His Excellency and the government and good people of Plateau State.

“We pray to God Almighty to repose the souls of the
victims and restore peace to our communities.”

Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau has banned night grazing in all parts of the state following the spate of attacks and killings in some communities.

Mutfwang issued the ban in a statewide broadcast on Wednesday in Jos over the prevailing security challenge in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that on April 2, gunmen attacked Hurti, Josho, Daffo, and other communities in Manguna District of the locality.

Similarly, gunmen on Sunday attacked Zike and Kimakpa communities of Kwall District, Iregwe Chiefdom of Bassa.

In both incidents, the attackers killed scores and destroyed many houses and other properties.

The governor also restricted the movement of cattle on vehicles in all parts of the state as from 7:00p.m.

He explained that the move aimed at curbing the rising security challenges in the state.

Read Also: Plateau killings: A campaign of ethnic cleansing, says Mutfwang

“To restore calm and strengthen vigilance, I hereby announce that effective Wednesday, April 16, night grazing of cattle is strictly prohibited.

“Also, transportation of cattle by vehicle is banned after 7:00p.m. The use of motorcycles is restricted from 7:00p.m. to 6:00a.m across the state until further notice,” he said.

The governor, who assured residents of the state of his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property, promised to support the security agencies in the state.

Mutfwang, who also insisted that the killings were not an isolated conflict between farmers and herders, thanked President Bola Tinubu for his commitment towards achieving lasting peace in the state.

He promised to constitute a fact-finding committee comprising of respected independent voices, to investigate the root causes of the violence and offer actionable recommendations.

(NAN)

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang to take decisive steps in addressing the root causes of the persistent communal violence plaguing the state. 

The President’s call came amidst fresh reports of deadly clashes in several Plateau communities.

Tinubu said he has directed security agencies to conduct thorough investigations into the latest wave of attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice. 

He stressed that law enforcement must act swiftly to prevent further bloodshed and restore public confidence.

More than 40 people were reported killed when armed bandits attacked Zike community in Kwall council area of the state in the early hours of Monday.

This attack followed killing of more than 52 persons in several villages in Bokkos council area of the state earlier in the month.

In a statement on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu condemned the recurring killings and destruction, describing the situation as deeply troubling and unacceptable. 

He emphasised that resolving the longstanding conflict requires more than just a security response, urging the State Government to confront the underlying ethnic and religious tensions fueling the violence.

Read Also: Mutfwang: Ultimate solution to Plateau crises lies in state police

The President noted the crisis, which has endured for over two decades, must be confronted head-on through fair and sustained efforts. 

He expressed concerns that the cycle of tit-for-tat attacks continues to cause widespread devastation and suffering among innocent citizens.

While reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to peace in Plateau, Tinubu pledged continued support for the state government’s efforts in promoting dialogue, strengthening social cohesion, and ensuring accountability. 

He said these measures are essential for achieving a permanent resolution to the conflict and restoring harmony among the state’s diverse communities.

The President added that he has maintained open communication with Governor Mutfwang, offering suggestions and strategies aimed at bringing lasting peace to the troubled region.

“The ongoing violence between communities in Plateau State, rooted in misunderstandings between different ethnic and religious groups, must cease.

 “I have instructed security agencies to thoroughly investigate this crisis and identify those responsible for orchestrating these violent acts. We cannot allow this devastation and the tit-for-tat attacks to continue. Enough is enough.

“Beyond dealing with the criminal elements of these incessant killings, the political leadership in Plateau State, led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, must address the root cause of this age-long problem. 

“These problems have been with us for more than two decades. We can no longer ignore the underlying issues. It is time to tackle them fairly and find a lasting solution. I have discussed these problems with the governor over time and offered suggestions for lasting peace. 

“The Federal Government remains committed to supporting Governor Mutfwang and the Plateau State government in promoting dialogue, fostering social cohesion, and ensuring accountability—crucial steps towards permanently resolving the conflict in Plateau,” the President said. 

• Describes killings as pure genocide orchestrated by terrorists
• Says 64 communities under bandits’ control’

With the dust raised by the recent killings in Plateau State yet to settle, Plateau State governor, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, spoke on the issue with select journalists in Jos, the state capital. Our Plateau State correspondent, KOLADE ADEYEMI, was there.

IN spite of all efforts to restore peace in Plateau State, another attack has just occurred in Bokkos. What do you make out of this?

The recent attacks resulting in the loss of lives and property in Bokkos Local Government Area was a deliberate act of genocide aimed at land grabbing.

We are hearing that the death toll may have risen to more than 60. What are the actual figures?

I thank Nigerians for the outpouring of sympathy and concern over these dastardly attacks. The statistics you’ve mentioned are not far from what we have. However, we are being cautious not to speculate. Some corpses have been discovered in the bushes, as many fled for safety during the attacks. We’re taking proper stock and will release verified figures soon on casualties, deaths and houses burnt.

That said, we have intensified surveillance, increased security personnel and deployed more assets to the affected areas. I want to acknowledge the concern shown by President Tinubu. Even while abroad, he has consistently reached out. The Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the National Security Adviser and the Inspector General of Police have all been involved. Today, we received additional security personnel and resources. The DIG Operations is on the ground, coordinating efforts to repel these forces of terror.

Can you give us a clearer picture of what exactly is happening on the Plateau? We witnessed similar events in December 2023. Who are these attackers, and what is their motive?

Let me put this in proper context. This latest attack began in Ruwi, a community near the local government headquarters. The people were observing a wake, mourning the death of a loved one, when they were suddenly attacked. It wasn’t even in the dead of night; it happened late in the afternoon. There were no provocations or prior incidents to justify such violence. These attacks weren’t reprisal in nature. Given this pattern, I have no choice but to conclude that these are terrorist organisations deliberately targeting our people.

The land in question is very fertile—rich in food produce and mineral deposits. We’ve observed a pattern over the years: at the beginning of the farming season, communities are attacked and destabilised so that they can’t plant. If they manage to farm, another wave of attacks occurs during harvest.

We’ve been intervening to help communities resist such intimidation. We’ve deployed Agro-Rangers from the Civil Defence Corps, equipped them with motorcycles and armed them to protect farmers. This strategy contributed to a stretch of relative peace since December 2023. Unfortunately, the current attack has shattered that peace. Some of these attackers disguise as herdsmen, moving cattle as cover, while carrying sophisticated arms. This raises serious questions about their real motives.

However, the national outrage this time may be a turning point. A few arrests have been made and we hope these will lead to valuable intelligence. We’ve worked hard to promote communal harmony, and to a large extent, we’ve succeeded. But this attack blindsided us. It is devastating, and we’re doing all we can to uncover the causes and secure lasting peace. Mangu was similarly affected in December 2023, along with Barkin-Ladi, and now again.

You alleged the attacks are genocide aimed at land grabbing. Why genocide?

It appears so. These attacks have persisted for over 30 years but rarely made national headlines. Bokkos is blessed with a beautiful landscape and rich mineral resources, but it’s also a rugged, challenging terrain. The communities attacked now were also hit in 2023. For example, Ruwi lost about 17 people in 2023 but recovered and rebuilt—showing remarkable resilience.

If such communities have faced sustained attacks for over a decade, then there’s no other logical conclusion than that these are deliberate, coordinated efforts to displace the people and reoccupy their land. As I speak, no fewer than 64 communities in Bokkos, Barkin-Ladi and Riyom LGAs have been taken over by bandits. These lands have been renamed and are now occupied by strangers while the original inhabitants remain displaced. Dialogue is ongoing to ensure the return of these communities. But the proliferation of sophisticated weapons in the hands of non-state actors has made peaceful co-existence more difficult.

This is more than a communal clash; it is genocide orchestrated by terrorists. The critical question is: who is sponsoring this terrorism? The security agencies must help us find out. It’s time for a united and coordinated intelligence effort to expose the masterminds and bring this to an end. Available intelligence suggests a lot of covert activities are ongoing in the occupied areas. Unfortunately, even security operatives often hesitate to enter these places due to potential compromise.

There have been instances where security operations were leaked, giving perpetrators time to cover their tracks. We’ve lost not just communities but also schools, healthcare centres and other public infrastructure. Our culture of hospitality on the Plateau makes it difficult to quantify the scale of displacement. Many internally displaced persons are hosted by relatives, making the crisis appear less severe than it truly is.

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What is your understanding of what the attackers do with the lands they are grabbing?

We’re still piecing together a full picture. What we do know is that illegal mining is rampant in these occupied areas—mining that is not captured in federal government data. There is also widespread illegal arms trafficking. These areas have become safe havens for criminal elements. The criminal justice system has also failed us in the past—suspects are arrested and then mysteriously released due to high-level interference. However, with the recent arrests, we are determined to ensure justice is served and those responsible are held accountable.

As the governor, you are regarded as the chief security officer of your state. What are your limitations in this regard?

This brings to the fore the national debate around the need for state police. I remain an unrepentant advocate for it. Not because the current security forces aren’t doing their best. In fact, I want to sincerely thank the Inspector General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff and all the security agencies working tirelessly. But the reality is this: their terms of engagement are largely reactive. Proactive measures are rare, even when intelligence suggests something might happen. That is why many communities are now taking the initiative to defend themselves. And this is something we want to avoid.

We have always believed in working through conventional security forces. Operation Rainbow, which some bandits have tried to discredit, is a reinforcement outfit. They don’t operate independently; they support and work with conventional forces. We’re now investing more in training them, so that once the regular forces finish their assignments, Operation Rainbow can hold the ground. Communities that were attacked in 2023 and again recently could have avoided being taken by surprise if we had a properly armed and trained local presence.

However, we cannot continue leaving arms in the hands of non-state actors. That’s why the establishment of state police has become not just important but urgent.

There is the issue of the geography of Plateau State. Is it of advantage or disadvantage to the state?

Plateau is landlocked and surrounded by multiple states—Kaduna, Nasarawa, Bauchi, Taraba, Gombe. What we’re witnessing is cross-border banditry. Sadly, in Nigeria, banditry has become synonymous with certain nomadic groups. While I haven’t personally encountered them, survivors tell us that many of these attackers speak no Nigerian language—they’re likely foreign. Some do migrate from the northwest into Plateau, and it appears that across the North Central—except maybe Kwara—nowhere is truly safe. These criminal elements have taken over forests and waterways.

We must confront the root of this issue. The era of mobile, open grazing is over. It benefits neither the herders nor our economy. If we transition to modern ranching, it becomes easier to identify those in our forests. If you’re not herding cattle, then what are you doing there? That’s the question. There’s a growing perception among some residents that these attackers tend to speak Kanuri or Fulani, and some describe their behavior as having “Fulani tendencies.”

I don’t want to be accused of ethnic profiling. Those who know me understand that I am not an ethnic bigot. In Plateau State, we’ve tried to operate with fairness, justice and inclusivity at the core of our governance. We believe in freedom of movement and equal rights for all citizens. That said, we cannot shy away from reality. It’s a fact known to most Nigerians that the majority of herders—who are often at the centre of these conflicts—speak a particular language.

However, this doesn’t mean others are never involved. When such cases arise, we do not shield them—we ensure they are held accountable. The broader concern here goes beyond ethnic lines—it’s about national security. The troubling developments we’ve seen in Borno, Zamfara, and Sokoto are now creeping into the North Central region. This is no longer just a regional issue; it’s a national menace. We need a coordinated national response.

One of the key enablers of this crisis is the practice of mobile cattle rearing. If we can develop a sustainable solution to that, it would significantly reduce the problem and help us identify criminals for who they truly are—not by their ethnicity or language, but by their actions.

Do you feel helpless, security-wise?

Not helpless; frustrated. We’ve held countless security meetings, deployed resources, motivated and mobilised security forces. Yet, when these breaches happen, it’s deeply frustrating. But I want to assure you, frustration has only fueled my determination. We will find a solution to this madness.

We understand that the gunmen that launch these attacks often disappear into thin air. Are they spirits?

They operate with the element of surprise. When they strike, villagers are too focused on escaping to observe or pursue them. In a few cases, some attackers are identified as locals who act as gatekeepers, giving access to these criminals. After the attack, they vanish—highly mobile, hard to trace. Yes, we’ve invested in surveillance technology; drones, for example. But technology does not fly 24/7. We often launch after the attacks, tracking movement but not always getting clear visuals. However, we’re scaling up our tech capabilities and exploring more ways to use innovation in both prevention and identification.

You claimed that land grabbing has been reported in more than 60 communities. Is there any plan to reclaim them?

It is important we debunk outdated narratives. This is no longer a farmers-herders clash or indigenes versus settlers issue. What we’re facing is terrorism. It is criminal, it is genocidal. When you know your adversary, you can sit at a table and negotiate. But when you’re dealing with a faceless enemy, who do you talk to? That’s the problem. Still, Plateau is a land of hospitality. Any peace-loving person who needs land to farm can easily get it, provided they respect community customs. This has always been our culture.

Unfortunately, there are also internal saboteurs—irresponsible politicians who exploit these crises to score political points and spread propaganda. But Plateau people see through it. We’ve worked hard to restore peace since the December attacks, and there’s been real progress. Hotel occupancy has gone up. People are returning. We are resilient, we are hopeful.

Do you suspect that these killings are sponsored?

The security agencies are expected to tell us this, and it is long overdue for security agencies to reveal the sponsors. But nevertheless, all suspicions point to the fact that the killings are carefully planned and executed by certain groups or individuals. Have you considered the kind of ransom money being exchanged in kidnappings? When these criminals are caught, they don’t appear to have kept the money. So where did it go? Clearly, there are powerful backers behind the scenes. We need our security agencies to dig deeper and unearth these sponsors. Until we expose them, we’ll keep treating symptoms instead of curing the disease.

In your interactions with Mr President, what kind of lasting solutions are you working on?

Yes, I did speak with the President. He actually calls me in situations like this, and I was quite encouraged by his concern and support. He has never hidden his desire to see an end to these ugly episodes, and I truly appreciate that. The President asked me what more could be done. In response, I emphasised that we must approach the situation in phases—both immediate and long-term.

For the immediate, we need to reinforce security deployments in the most strategic manner. We require more boots on the ground. Our borders are extensive, and in places like Bokkos, the terrain is particularly treacherous. Access to some communities is extremely poor.

One of our resolutions is to aggressively open up rural areas to improve mobility and response time. We’re also considering discussions with telecom operators to expand telecommunications infrastructure to these remote communities. Ordinarily, these areas hold little commercial value for the telecoms, but as a government, we must take responsibility to facilitate communication in these hard-to-reach places.

Beyond that, we need to reconscientise the communities. These people are not giving up their lands, nor are they running away. If they must return and live peacefully in their ancestral homes, the rules of engagement must change. That is why we’re urging Mr. President to accelerate the process of implementing state police. Everything necessary to make that a reality must be facilitated promptly.

If you are given the options, will you prefer state police in bringing solutions to these killings?

State police, to me, is an official structured security organisation under proper supervision. It is not amorphous or fluid. The challenge with vigilantes is that they are often volunteers and not easily controlled. A state police force, on the other hand, is organised, accountable and operates within a legal framework. That means any assets or resources put in their hands can be properly managed and monitored. Another important aspect is the ease of command and familiarity with the terrain. When we deploy security personnel from far-flung areas who don’t understand the environment, they often fall victim themselves before they can even adapt.

Unfortunately, we’ve had cases where even trained security personnel have been caught off guard. Yes, there’s a recurring fear that state police could be misused—especially given our political climate and level of development. But we cannot continue to be ruled by fear. Instead, we must develop a system where state police is effectively supervised by federal structures to prevent abuse while ensuring responsiveness.

 If you had the opportunity to acquire one superpower—something beyond your current capacity as governor—to protect your people, what would it be?

Honestly, all I ask is for the full cooperation of the security agencies charged with protecting lives and property. We must intensify our intelligence-gathering capabilities. And more importantly, we must be patriotic and decisive in acting on the intelligence we receive.

When perpetrators are apprehended, we must be bold enough to prosecute and make examples of them. That is how deterrence is built. I ask only that the President continues to strengthen our resolve and empower us to mobilise every asset available to ensure that lives and property across our communities are protected.