Plateau Attacks: Mutfwang briefs Tinubu, says solution in sight

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang says a lasting solution to the recurring attacks in the state is in sight, following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Lagos.

Mr Mutfwang disclosed this in an interview after briefing the president on the security situation and his administration’s efforts to restore peace in the state.

“There’s light at the end of the tunnel. All we need is constancy,” the governor said, adding that the government was addressing the crisis through both military and non-military measures.

He said the state government was engaging communities to promote peaceful coexistence while ensuring that those responsible for attacks face justice.

“We are beginning to prosecute people. We are making sure. I can tell you that a lot is happening, and we are very hopeful,” he said.

Security cameras, intelligence gathering

In a statement after the meeting, Mr Mutfwang said he briefed Mr Tinubu on the security challenges facing Plateau and the measures his administration was taking to strengthen security.

He said the president received the briefing and expressed commitment to the peace and wellbeing of Plateau residents.

The governor said he hoped that critical interventions, including the deployment of security cameras donated to the state during the president’s last visit, would be fast-tracked.

According to him, the cameras would complement the Plateau Security and Information Centre and strengthen intelligence gathering, surveillance, early warning and rapid response.

Mr Mutfwang also said his administration had established a subcommittee to examine issues raised during previous engagements with stakeholders and identify practical ways of addressing them.

He said the committee had submitted its report and discussions would continue.

“We need to rebuild the walls of trust. We need to rebuild confidence in government and in governance,” he said.

Attacks, displacement persist

The meeting comes amid renewed attacks in Plateau, particularly in Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Mangu and Riyom local government areas.

On 29 September, three women were reportedly killed and another person injured when gunmen attacked a mining site in Rakum community, Barkin Ladi.

The incident followed an attack on a mining site in Marit village, also in Barkin Ladi, on 26 September, where five miners were feared killed and two others injured.

Earlier, at least nine people, including a pastor, were reportedly killed in separate attacks across Barkin Ladi and neighbouring communities between 19 and 20 September.

The repeated violence has also displaced residents and disrupted livelihoods in affected communities. The state government recently announced a ₦1.5 billion humanitarian intervention for 1,571 households affected by attacks in Bassa, Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu.

The funds comprised ₦1 billion donated by the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, and ₦500 million contributed by the Plateau State Government.

READ ALSO: Four killed in fresh Plateau attacks

Mr Mutfwang told the president that the state government planned to rebuild communities devastated by attacks to facilitate the safe and orderly return of internally displaced persons to their homes.

He said the intervention would go beyond immediate financial assistance to include restoring livelihoods and rebuilding affected communities.

The governor also briefed the president on the state’s interventions in transportation, education and healthcare, including the introduction of metro buses and the revitalisation of rail services.

He said the president expressed satisfaction with the interventions, particularly their potential to improve mobility and access to essential services.