6/1/2023 Nigeria (International Christian Concern) – Four days after his inauguration as the new governor of Plateau State in Nigeria, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang visited communities recently attacked by suspected Fulani militants.
The governor was returning home for the first time after his inauguration. Questions continue over the mysterious attacks that recently claimed dozens of lives and properties worth millions of naira in communities including Mangu and Riyom.
He wondered why the attacks were happening now, and who brought the attackers. He urged community leaders to expose those who were working to cause disaffection in Mangu which has a history of peaceful coexistence.
“I have asked God to strengthen my own heart,” said Mutfwang. “It was after the inauguration on Monday that we had our Security Council Meeting on Tuesday, and we agreed that we needed to come in immediately to show solidarity with our people and encourage them that all hope is not lost.
“This magnitude of madness and carnage has never happened in the Mangu Local Government Area. There have been isolated and sporadic incidents and you begin to ask why and why now. But we have come to encourage you as leaders of our people to know that God is on the throne.
“What has happened is a terrible setback and depressing; that these people that we have lost in a very callous manner with several others that their death will not be in vain. We should be encouraged that by the grace of God, help is on our way.”
Mutfwang applauded the security agencies for the efforts they have put in to secure the people and said he would be working closely with them. Some say government and military leaders have been complicit, even aiding and abetting, in the mostly Islamic Fulani militant attacks against the Christian farming communities.
“It is in moments like these that we come together as a people and forget our differences and fight the enemy that is coming from outside,” said the governor. “Let us use this period to make things right and avoid unnecessary bickering. By the grace of God from next week, we are setting up a Standing Committee that will look after the welfare and wellbeing of all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) on the Plateau. We are also reaching out to organizations to come to the aid of our people. The welfare of our people will not be left unattended to.
“This is a farming season; we are also trying to see how we can procure some fertilizer that we will be able to distribute to our farmers at a discounted rate. You should continue to pray for us and by the grace of God, we will change things for the better.”
Mutfwang assured the people that the time to secure the land and the people had come.
He said government will revive “Operation Rainbow” and incorporate vigilante groups and hunters into the existing federal security architecture to supply effective community policing where early warning signals and other security intelligence would be supplied for swift action.
Gyang Bere, Special Assistant on Media to the Executive Governor of Plateau State, contributed to this report.
