Caleb Mutfwang, governor of Plateau
Caleb Mutfwang, governor of Plateau, has asked security agencies to overhaul their approach to tackling insecurity in the state.
On Monday, at least 27 farmers were killed by gunmen in an attack on Bindi, a community in the Riyom LGA of the state.
The assailants reportedly attacked the community at about 3am, setting homes ablaze, destroying crops, and leaving a trail of devastation across eight settlements.
Speaking on Wednesday during a condolence visit to the community, the governor expressed concerns that the attack took place despite intelligence warnings.
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Mutfwang tasked security agencies to arrest the perpetrators, insisting that the era of “unknown gunmen” must end.
“It is very sad that we got intelligence for this attack, yet the attack still happened,” he said.
“I’m calling on the security agencies to redouble their efforts; we need to reappraise our strategy and tactics.
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“We cannot continue like this, and by the grace of God, we will soon bring this to an end. The perpetrators of the act must be arrested; the era of unknown gunmen is over.”
The governor also promised the government’s support for survivors, adding that coordinated mass burials would be organised for the victims.
He later visited Gwareng and Bachi, two other communities in Riyom that had recently come under attack.
“Let me remind our security agencies again, you are not here for peacekeeping; you are here to defend the lives and property of Nigerians,” he added.
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“Anybody that is threatening the lives of Nigerians is an enemy of the state and must be dealt with accordingly.”
Ezekiel Davou, youth leader of the community, thanked the governor for showing solidarity and called for urgent help to rebuild homes and restore livelihoods.
Davou said despite the horror of the attacks, residents were determined to stay and rebuild.
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