Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has emotionally apologized to the people of the state following a fresh wave of violence that claimed the lives of over 50 residents in the Zikke community, Bassa Local Government Area.
During a visit to the devastated community on Tuesday, the governor, visibly shaken and tearful, said:
“I will tell you the truth: I myself, I have been crying since yesterday because I had trusted God that all the arrangements we had put in place, that this would not happen 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 Monday morning attack saw armed gunmen invade the village, killing scores, burning homes, and displacing hundreds — a grim reminder of the ongoing crisis that has plagued the region for years. This attack comes barely two weeks after a similar tragedy in Bokkos LGA.
Accompanied by security chiefs and members of his executive council, Mutfwang visited both the community and the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Miango, appealing to the people to remain vigilant and collaborate with security forces through timely intelligence sharing.
The Paramount Ruler of Irigwe land, His Royal Highness Ronku Aka (Brangwe of Irigwe), called for urgent state intervention, including the provision of relief materials and restoration of basic amenities.
Governor Mutfwang also met with bereaved families, many of whom had just buried their loved ones. Amid grief and frustration, residents demanded urgent government action to curb what they described as an orchestrated campaign of genocidal violence.
Reacting to the killings, President Bola Tinubu condemned the attacks as “heinous” and directed security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Governor Mutfwang further raised an alarm, stating that over 64 communities in Plateau have been forcefully taken over by armed groups. He described the recurring violence as “sponsored and genocidal,” challenging the effectiveness of the country’s security apparatus.
As Plateau bleeds once more, the nation is left grappling with rising insecurity, a frustrated citizenry, and mounting doubts over the government’s capacity to ensure lasting peace.
