Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has spoken out about the recent deadly attacks in the state, saying they follow a disturbing pattern of targeted violence.
He believes the attacks are not isolated incidents, but part of a deliberate plan involving genocide and illegal land seizure.
In an interview, Mutfwang explained that the attackers are not acting out of revenge but are part of organized terror groups trying to take over land rich in resources.
“These attacks weren’t reprisal in nature,” the governor said. “Given this pattern, I have no choice but to conclude that these are terrorist organizations deliberately targeting our people.”
He said the violence began in Ruwi, a community in Bokkos Local Government Area, where people were gathered for a wake.
“Let me put this in proper context. This latest attack began in Ruwi, a community near the local government headquarters. The people were observing a wake—mourning the death of a loved one—when they were suddenly attacked. It wasn’t even in the dead of night; it happened late in the afternoon. There were no provocations or prior incidents to justify such violence. These attacks weren’t reprisal in nature. Given this pattern, I have no choice but to conclude that these are terrorist organizations deliberately targeting our people. The land in question is very fertile—rich in food produce and mineral deposits,” he said.
Mutfwang explained that this kind of violence has happened before—usually at the start of the farming season to stop people from planting crops, and again during harvest to prevent them from gathering food.
“We’ve observed a pattern over the years: at the beginning of the farming season, communities are attacked and destabilized so that they can’t plant. If they manage to farm, another wave of attacks occurs during harvest,” he added.
He said that the government has strengthened security in the affected areas and that the Federal Government is also supporting their efforts.
“I want to acknowledge the concern shown by President Bola Tinubu—even while abroad, he has consistently reached out,” he said. He added that top security officials, including the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector General of Police, are actively involved.
The governor said that Agro-Rangers were sent to protect farmers, which helped bring some calm since December 2023. However, he admitted that the recent attacks had ruined that peace.
Speaking on fears that the attacks are part of a plan to remove certain groups of people, Mutfwang said: “This is more than a communal clash—this is genocide, orchestrated by terrorists. The critical question is: who is sponsoring this terrorism?”
He claimed that more than 64 communities in Bokkos, Barkin-Ladi, and Riyom areas have already been taken over.
“These lands have been renamed and are now occupied by strangers—while the original inhabitants remain displaced,” he said.
The governor said that intelligence reports show hidden activities are going on in the occupied areas, and even security personnel are often afraid to go in because of possible leaks and sabotage.
“Available intelligence suggests a lot of covert activities are ongoing in the occupied areas. Unfortunately, even security operatives often hesitate to enter these places due to potential compromise. There have been instances where security operations were leaked, giving perpetrators time to cover their tracks. We’ve lost not just communities, but also schools, healthcare centers, and other public infrastructure. Our culture of hospitality on the Plateau makes it difficult to quantify the scale of displacement—many internally displaced persons are hosted by relatives, making the crisis appear less severe than it truly is,” he added.
Mutfwang also criticized the justice system, saying it has failed the people.
“Suspects are arrested and then mysteriously released due to high-level interference,” he alleged.
He repeated his call for the creation of state police, saying that local security would help prevent more killings.
“That’s why the establishment of state police has become not just important, but urgent,” he said.
When asked about the identity of the attackers, he said: “Survivors tell us that many of these attackers speak no Nigerian language—they’re likely foreign.”
While condemning ethnic profiling, Mutfwang pointed out that many of the herders involved in the conflicts speak a specific language. Still, he emphasized that solving the crisis requires a nationwide effort.
“It’s a fact known to most Nigerians that the majority of herders—who are often at the center of these conflicts—speak a particular language.” He added, “The troubling developments we’ve seen in Borno, Zamfara, and Sokoto are now creeping into the North Central region. This is no longer just a regional issue; it’s a national menace.”
This interview comes after at least 51 people were killed in attacks on Zikke and Kakpa communities in Bassa Local Government Area on Monday.
