Shettima Unable To Visit Plateau As Mutfwang Holds Security Meeting

VICE President, Kashim Shettima, failed to visit the troubled Plateau State on Monday, April 21, as announced earlier, over the recent wave of killings in the state.
The visit, intended as a follow-up to earlier visits by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Chief of Army Staff, Inspector General of Police and the Chief of Defence Staff, was seen as a crucial effort to reinforce federal commitment to justice and protection for victims of recent attacks in Bokkos and Bassa communities, which have left over 1000 people dead and attracted condemnation.
The Vice President’s visit was initially disclosed by Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Nentawe Yilwatda, during a visit to affected communities in Bassa Local Council.
Yilwatda had said that Shettima’s trip was at the directive of President Bola Tinubu to engage stakeholders and bolster security coordination in the troubled state.
“Last week, the NSA was here, and on Monday, the vice president will be here to engage the stakeholders of Plateau State, because Mr. President said these killings must come to an end.
“My heart is with you, and I convey also that of Mr. President, who is so concerned that he asked us to come here, not just me alone, but also the minister of Defence,” Yilwatda said.
However, checks by The Punch at the Rayfield Government House in Jos confirmed that Shettima did not arrive, as anticipated.
Commissioner for Information, Joyce Ramnap, when asked for clarification, responded: “I haven’t gotten any notice that the vice president will visit Plateau today.
“So, I can’t give you information on what I don’t know.”
Meanwhile, Governor Caleb Mutfwang on Monday, April 21, convened an emergency stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Rayfield, Jos, to address the growing security crisis.
Lamenting the attacks, Mutfwang said: “The state is under siege; no territorial zone is spared. We have cult groups, like the Sarasuka Boys, who have taken many lives in Jos North, Pankshin, Kanke and Mangu.
“Recent attacks in Bokkos and Bassa LGAs have claimed over a hundred lives. Yes, as governor, I know that I owe the people of the state a responsibility to work in tandem with the federal security agencies to bring about peace. And we have never rested on our oars.
“Apart from engaging community leaders to find out their problems, we have also made kinetic provisions supporting these federal security agencies with logistics… Yet, we are yet to come out of the woods.
“Perhaps one of the reasons this has persisted is that we have never for a long time gathered as a people of Plateau to speak with one voice. We must find solutions collectively.”
He welcomed constructive criticism and called for greater stakeholder engagement to restore peace, noting: “If there’s anything I’ve failed to do, please say so; I will amend.”