Governor Mutfwang: 64 Plateau Communities Now Under Bandit Control
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has raised alarm over the worsening security situation in the state, revealing that no fewer than 64 communities across three local government areas have fallen under the control of armed bandits.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s *Politics Today*, the governor described the sustained attacks on communities as acts of terrorism and genocide allegedly being sponsored by unidentified individuals.
“I can tell you in all honesty that I cannot find any explanation other than genocide sponsored by terrorists,” Governor Mutfwang stated.
He questioned the source of support for the attackers and urged security agencies to urgently investigate and expose the sponsors behind the growing insecurity.
“The question is, who are the persons behind this terrorism? This is what the security agencies must help us to unravel,” he said. “We must come to the point where we know the sponsors because it is not just the work of ordinary people. This is being sponsored from somewhere.”
Highlighting the resilience of affected communities, Mutfwang noted that many of the areas currently under siege had previously been attacked but had managed to rebuild and move on.
“These communities that have been recently attacked were part of the communities that were attacked in 2023 but they survived it and rebuilt themselves,” he explained. “The Ruwi community that was first attacked lost about 17 people in 2023 but they bounced back to show you the resilience of the people.”
He emphasized that the protracted violence, spanning nearly a decade, points to a calculated attempt to forcefully displace populations and occupy their lands.
“If these attacks have been going on for close to 10 years, it tells you that there is a deliberate, conscious attempt to clean out populations and to reopen,” he said.
According to the governor, the 64 communities now under the control of bandits are located in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom Local Government Areas.
He added that the attackers have not only taken over these areas but have also renamed them, comfortably settling on lands from which original residents were forcefully evicted.
“As I am talking to you, there are not less than 64 communities that have been taken over by bandits on the Plateau between Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas. They have been taken over, renamed and people are living there conveniently on lands they pushed people away to occupy,” Mutfwang said.
Despite the grim situation, he expressed optimism that security agencies would rise to the challenge and act in unity to restore peace and justice.
“I am sure that in the coming days, the security agencies will work together, not at cross purposes but in unison, to be able to bring out the requisite intelligence that will help us to put this matter behind us,” he said.
Just last week, Governor Mutfwang had asserted that the ongoing crisis in the state was no longer a case of farmer-herder conflict but the result of organized criminal activities.
“I must say that the aim of the enemy is to throw the state into gloom and mourning but we will rise above their intent and not give them what they want,” he said.
“For those who think that the current situation is a farmer-herder issue, let me disabuse your mind from that perception; it is a product of organised crime by malicious elements who do not want peace to reign in the state.”
The governor assured residents of the state that justice would prevail and the perpetrators of the violence would be brought to book.
“I want to assure the good people of Plateau that God will give us victory over these miscreants and their end has come,” he declared.
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