Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has issued a public apology to the people of Bassa Local Government Area, admitting the failure of the government and security agencies to protect lives and properties following recent deadly attacks. His apology comes as condemnation grows over the killings, which have left at least 52 people dead in Zike community, bringing the total number of victims in the state to 104 in just two weeks.
Speaking at the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Miango community, Governor Mutfwang expressed his sorrow, stating, "I will tell you the truth, I have been crying since yesterday because I had trusted God that all the arrangements were put in place, that this will not happen again. We have made investments in security. 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."
Mutfwang urged the people to continue working with security agencies to ensure the safety of their communities, stressing the importance of sharing vital information to aid intelligence gathering and expose criminal activities. He visited Zike community to commiserate with the families of the victims, and the community’s Paramount Ruler, Ronku Aka, called on the government to provide social amenities to the affected areas.
One survivor of the attack, Eric Danlami, shared his heartbreaking account, revealing that his sister died after she ran out of hiding in fear of the attackers. "We had retired to bed in the night without any form of suspicion, but when we heard the gunshots, we found a place to hide. My sister, in her fear, left our hiding place and was shot by the attackers," he said.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who visited the state, assured that the Federal Government was committed to ensuring the security of Plateau State. He confirmed that more security personnel and resources had been deployed to the area, and efforts to identify the masterminds behind the attacks were underway.
The Plateau Initiative for Development and Advancement of Natives (PIDAN) called for swift justice, urging the government to take immediate action against the perpetrators. "If these attacks remain unchecked, it will have catastrophic consequences for Nigeria’s stability," said PIDAN President, Amb. Nanpon Sheni.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also condemned the killings, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s administration of incompetence in handling security matters. He expressed sorrow over the rise in deadly attacks and criticized the government's failure to protect citizens. "The protection of lives and property is the primary responsibility of any government. Unfortunately, President Tinubu has failed these citizens and continues to fail them," Atiku wrote in a Facebook post.
Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, called for justice, urging the government to prevent Plateau from becoming a hotbed of violence. He emphasized the need for the Federal Government to protect lives and properties and to work with the local authorities to ensure lasting peace.
Former Plateau Governor Jonah Jang also condemned the killings, stating that the attacks were not merely communal disputes but were perpetrated by a known group with a specific agenda. He urged President Tinubu to convene an expanded meeting with community leaders to better understand the situation and address the root causes of the violence.
In a similar vein, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Northern Nigeria, led by Rev. Dr. Yakubu Pam, strongly condemned the attacks. CAN called on security agencies to act swiftly and decisively to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice. They also urged all stakeholders, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, and security operatives, to unite in ending the cycle of violence in Plateau State.
As the state continues to reel from the violence, political and religious leaders are calling for urgent action to address the security crisis and ensure justice for the victims of these tragic attacks.
