Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, broke down in tears on Tuesday as he issued a heartfelt apology to residents of the state, following a deadly attack that left more than 50 people dead. The tragic incident occurred on Monday morning in the Zikke community, located in Bassa Local Government Area. The attack, which saw gunmen storm the village, led to the destruction of homes and the displacement of hundreds, just two weeks after a similar assault in Bokkos LGA.
During a visit to the Paramount Ruler of Miango’s palace, Governor Mutfwang expressed deep sorrow over the violence and the government’s failure to prevent the attack. In an emotional address, he stated, “I myself, I have been crying since yesterday because I had trusted God that all the arrangements we had put in place would prevent this from happening again. But like all human arrangements, sometimes they fail. I want to admit that on Sunday night into Monday morning, we failed you. Please, forgive me.”
The Governor, accompanied by security chiefs and members of the state executive council, visited the grieving Zikke community to console the families of the victims and assess the extent of the destruction. He called for greater vigilance and urged the public to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely intelligence to prevent future attacks.
In the wake of the tragedy, the Paramount Ruler of Irigwe land, His Royal Highness Ronku Aka, appealed to the state government for urgent intervention, demanding relief materials and the restoration of essential services to the affected communities.
Governor Mutfwang’s emotional visit came amidst a rising tide of anger and frustration from residents, who are now calling for decisive action to curb the ongoing wave of violence. Many described the killings as “genocidal,” demanding the government take more aggressive steps to ensure peace in the region.
President Bola Tinubu condemned the latest attack, labeling it as “heinous,” and vowed that the perpetrators would face justice. He urged security agencies to act swiftly to bring the attackers to account for their crimes.
The violence in Plateau State has deep historical roots, largely driven by disputes between farmers and herders over land and resources. However, Governor Mutfwang voiced growing concerns that the recent spate of attacks is not just about these disputes but is also “sponsored and genocidal” in nature. He revealed that over 64 communities in the state have been forcibly taken over by armed groups, further escalating fears that peace remains distant.
The Plateau crisis has persisted for years, but the frequency and brutality of these attacks have raised fresh doubts about the effectiveness of the current security architecture. Despite significant investments in security, the political will to bring an end to the violence remains under scrutiny. As the state continues to mourn, the question lingers: Can the government restore peace and stability to Plateau?
