Plateau Governor Caleb Muftwang has alerted the state’s worsening security situation, indicating that at least 64 communities have been taken over by gangsters. Speech in an interview on channel TV Today’s politics The governor said Tuesday, April 8 that affected communities spanned the Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas.
“These recently attacked communities are part of the communities that were attacked in 2023, but they survived and rebuilt themselves,” he said. “The Luwei community, which was initially attacked, lost about 17 people in 2023, but they bounced back to show you the resilience of people.”
Over the past week, more than 50 people have been reportedly killed in re-attacks in five communities, with more than 300 homes suspected of resident burning. The violence has rekindled the country’s concern about the ongoing insecurity plagued the central and northern regions.
The Plateau State Government, led by State Secretary Samuel Jatau, visited some affected communities to assess the destruction and provide relief materials to displaced victims.
Despite the tragedy, Governor Mufwan said the attack was not new to the country. “If these attacks have been going on for nearly 10 years, it tells you that there is an intentional, conscious attempt to clean up the population and reopen it,” he said.
He further lamented that these invasions failed to attract enough national attention over the years. The governor added: “When I talk to you, the bandits on the plateau took over no less than 64 communities… They have taken over them, changed their names, and people are there conveniently living on the land they pushed people away.”
Since then, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu visited the Plateau State and assured residents that the federal government is committed to ending the cycle of killing and restoring peace in troubled areas.
