JOS, Nigeria – Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has urged all stakeholders to unite in the fight to reclaim and protect the state’s heritage, emphasizing that almost all of the state’s 17 local government areas are grappling with widespread insecurity.
In a passionate address at an expanded stakeholders meeting held at the Government House in Jos on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, Mutfwang called for collaboration across all sectors, irrespective of political, religious, or ethnic affiliations, to address the escalating violence.
His call came on the heels of a peaceful protest by Christian leaders from the Church Leaders Denominational Forum, who led hundreds of believers in a demonstration against the ongoing attacks on rural communities in Plateau State.
Addressing the assembled stakeholders, Mutfwang acknowledged the gravity of the situation, particularly in the wake of the tragic events of the past few weeks.
He highlighted the brutal killings in Bokkos and Mangu Local Government Areas, where gunmen had claimed over 150 lives during a series of coordinated attacks on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day in 2023.
“Two days after my swearing-in, I convened a Security Council meeting. We engaged with community leaders and thought the situation had calmed down. But just a few weeks later, we were hit with a devastating attack in Bokkos that has left over 100 people dead,” Mutfwang said.
“This violence is not limited to one area. It has spread to Bassa, Kanam, Shendam, Mangu, and even parts of Jos.”
Mutfwang stressed that the violence is not merely a clash between farmers and herders, as is often claimed by some sources.
He denounced the false narrative that frames the ongoing attacks as clashes, pointing out that organized groups of bandits, many of whom have ties to terrorist factions, have been behind the destruction and loss of life.
“Plateau is under siege. We must reject the falsehood that these are just clashes. When bandits occupy grazing reserves and terrorize our people with sophisticated weapons, this is not a clash—it is genocide perpetrated by terrorists,” Mutfwang emphasized.
He also addressed the need for unity in the state, calling on residents, security agencies, and political leaders to work together to safeguard the future of the region.
He warned against divisive forces that attempt to paint Plateau as the aggressor and called for collective action to combat the real threat: the violent insurgency that has devastated the region.
“We must rise together, irrespective of religion or ethnicity, to protect this land that God has blessed us with,” the governor declared.
“This is the time for us to hold one another’s hands in solidarity, not to throw each other under the bus.”
Governor Mutfwang’s remarks resonated deeply with the audience, many of whom shared the governor’s vision for a more secure and united Plateau.
The governor vowed to continue working with security agencies and local communities to ensure the safety of all Plateau residents and to restore peace to the long-troubled region.
The governor also emphasized the importance of clear communication and called for the federal government’s attention to the dire situation in Plateau.
He urged national and international bodies to recognize the severity of the violence and to take swift, decisive action to support the state in its efforts to quell the insurgency.
