Governor Caleb Mutfwang has expressed strong criticism regarding what he perceives as a “lack of political will” from the Federal Government to eliminate marauding terrorists on the Plateau.
In an appearance on Channels Television’s “Sunrise Daily” on Tuesday, Mutfwang highlighted the prolonged occupation of schools in the Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area by insurgents for the past five years.
Mutfwang, visibly distressed, lamented the escalating crisis on the Plateau, attributing it to the absence of arrests made by security agents. He described the recent simultaneous Christmas Eve attacks on over 15 communities in the Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas as “unprovoked,” resulting in over 115 lives lost, numerous injuries, and hundreds of houses set ablaze.
“We must stop this carnage,” the governor said matter-of-factly, adding that security agents “cannot continue with this reactionary strategy but be proactive”.
He emphasized the dire situation in Barkin-Ladi, stating, “As I am talking to you today, in Barkin-Ladi Local Government, schools have been occupied by these terrorists for some years now. Not less than 64 communities have been displaced, and the lands have been taken over by these marauding terrorists.”
Governor Mutfwang disclosed his intention to approach President Bola Tinubu to provide clear instructions to security agents for the protection of Plateau residents against land-grabbing attackers. He emphasized the need for political will to safeguard Nigeria’s territorial and internal integrity.
He said, “I will be talking to Mr President on this. We need to summon the political will to give instructions to security agencies to protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria and even the internal integrity of our land boundaries.”
Addressing the root causes, Mutfwang connected the persistent attacks on the Plateau to land matters, advocating for non-violent means of acquiring land. He urged individuals seeking land on the Plateau to engage in peaceful negotiations with communities, emphasizing the potential for large-scale conflict if violence persists.
“There are ways of acquiring lands, not through violence and we must be able to resort to constitutionalism in dealing with these issues.
“People who want land on the Plateau are free to approach the communities, negotiate, and settle in those communities. I don’t think people will refuse but where they resort to violence to take over those lands, you will be sure that this is a time bomb because it will reach a time when people react, and we are going to have a large-scale conflict. I pray we don’t get to that point.”
Expressing concern over the lack of arrests or prosecutions related to past attacks, Mutfwang criticized the previous regime for what he perceived as insufficient efforts to repel terrorist attacks. He revealed the prolonged occupation of schools, with some being taken over for the past three to five years, causing disruptions for students and abandonment of primary healthcare centers.