Governor Caleb Muftwang of Plateau State last night assured that the people of the state have resolved to put an end to further attacks and restore lasting peace. Speaking on Politics Today, anchored by Seun Okinbaloye on Channels Television on Friday, Muftwang stressed that residents would not allow recent violence to degenerate into anarchy.
The governor’s remarks came in the wake of a deadly attack on a community in Plateau State on Palm Sunday, where at least 27 people were killed. The incident occurred around 8 p.m. when unidentified gunmen opened fire at a popular gathering spot in Angwan Rukuba, Jos. Fourteen victims reportedly died at the scene, while 13 others later succumbed to their injuries in the hospital.
Authorities noted that the victims were not limited to any single religious group. In response, Muftwang imposed a 48 hour curfew and strongly condemned what he described as a barbaric and unprovoked attack on innocent citizens. He assured the public that security agencies are working to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
He revealed that preliminary assessments suggest the attackers operated with a high level of professionalism. “We cannot allow the situation in Plateau State to degenerate into anarchy. The attackers aim to set the state ablaze despite the peace we have achieved in the last two years.
“But the people of Plateau State have resolved to come together to address the issue. Community members are engaging one another; Christian leaders are speaking with Muslim leaders. These attacks appear to involve younger individuals who may not have experienced past conflicts,” he said.
Muftwang added that security experts who examined the scene indicated that the nature of the gunshot wounds pointed to trained assailants. “We do not yet know their motives, but we will establish them once the at- tackers are apprehended,” he said. The governor reaffirmed the resilience of Plateau residents, noting that they remain determined to resist any attempt to destabilise the state.
He also raised concerns about possible sponsorship of the attackers, stating that investigations are ongoing to uncover any external backing. Addressing the issue of misinformation, Muftwang condemned certain social media posts allegedly aimed at inciting unrest. He disclosed that one suspect linked to such activities has been arrested and will face prosecution after the Easter holidays.
“While we uphold freedom of information, we will not tolerate actions that endanger lives. We will rely on credible evidence as we investigate and address the root causes of this incident,” he said. Muftwang said further that the crisis may be connected to longstanding religious and ethnic tensions.
He added that he plans to engage with fellow northern governors on addressing the Almajiri system, which he alleged is sometimes exploited for criminal activities.
On President Bola Tinubu’s decision to meet victims’ families at the airport rather than tour affected areas, the governor defended the move, noting that the President had prior engagements, including a security meeting with President Mahamat Déby of Chad.
