*Mutfwang Apologises To Victims, Says ‘We Failed You’
*Anger As Community Buries 51 Bodies
*IGP Visits, Reviews Police Strategies, Deployment
A FORMER governor of Plateau State, Senator Jonah Jang, has alleged that the lingering killings in the state was not due to communal disputes, but a specific agenda of a known group to displace the people and take over their lands.
The retired Nigeria Air Foce (NAF) General, in a statement on Tuesday, April 15, in Jos, the state capital, while condoling the people of the state on the tragedy, called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently convene an expanded meeting with community leaders, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to fully grasp the depth and complexity of the unending security crisis.
Jang, who represented Plateau North in the Senate, described the recent killings as deeply painful and perpetrated by a known group with a hidden agenda.
He stated: “Let’s call a spade a spade; these senseless killings have caused pain and suffering for our great state and its people, and we must take immediate action to put an end to this violence.”
He, while commending Governor Caleb Mutfwang for his continued efforts to address the security challebges and Tinubu’s determination to restore peace, however, criticised a recent presidential directive instructing Mutfwang to treat the attacks as a “communal issue,” arguing that such a label stems from “inaccurate briefings.”
He restated that the attacks were not merely communal disputes, but perpetrated by a known group with a specific agenda, urging the Federal Government to recognise the true nature of the violence in order to take an appropriate response.
He urged residents of the state to remain united, resilient and vigilant, and communities to defend themselves while continuing to demand justice, adding: “As peace-loving and welcoming citizens, we have endured enough. It is time for us to defend ourselves against these aggressors.”
Meanwhile, Mutfwang has apologised to the people of Bassa Local Council over the failure of government and security agencies to protect lives and properties.
Just on Monday, April 14, 51 armless persons were killed in the Zikke community, with houses razed and many displaced, about two weeks after a similar attack on Bokkos Local Council led to the death of many residents.
Speaking on Tuesday at the palace of the Paramount Ruler in Miango, the governor said: “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.”
He urged the people to continue with their efforts to secure their communities and complement those of the security agencies by providing vital information for intelligence gathering and expose the antics of the criminals.
Mutfwang, in the company of security chiefs and members of the state executive council, was in Zikke community to commiserate with the people on the death of over 51 persons in Monday’s attacks.
The Paramount Ruler and Brangwe of Irigwe, Ronku Aka, urged government to come to the aid of the communities through the provision of social amenities in the area.
Worried by the attacks and killings, Tinubu ordered security agencies to go after the killers, describing the latest wave of assault on the zone state as devastating.
In a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the President said: “I have instructed security agencies to thoroughly investigate this crisis and identify those responsible for orchestrating these violent acts.
“We cannot allow this devastation and the tit-for-tat attacks to continue. Enough is enough.”
Following the President’s directive, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, accompanied by senior officers, including the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of the Police Mobile Force, Funsho Adegboye; AIG Zone 4, Zachariah Fera, and Commandant, Police Staff College, Jos, Nwonyi Polycarp Emeka, visited the state on Tuesday.
Upon his arrival, the entourage were at the Government House to commiserate with Mutfwang and the good people of the state.
Egbetokun, while condemning the attacks, assured the governor that the Police would do its best to de-escalate tensions and bring the perpetrators of the heinous acts to book.
He later held a brief meeting with tactical commanders to review strategies in the deployment of operational personnel and assets to further complement existing Police architecture in the state.
According to a statement by Police spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi (ACP), the IGP, apart from directed the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of the Department of Operations, Kwazhi Dali Yakubu, to take charge and oversee the operations: “The Nigeria Police Force once again reaffirms its commitment to the good people of Plateau State and Nigeria as a whole.
“The Force remains resolute towards bringing the perpetrators of these attacks to justice and restoring peace to the affected communities.”
