Caleb Muftwang, the governor of Plateau State, where thousands have been left homeless and more than 50 people
slain in recent weeks, have alleged that the attack is genocidal and sponsored.
In the North-Central state’s Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA), attackers targeted multiple settlements, forcing
many to flee and leaving a path of devastation in their wake.
Pained by the deaths, Muftwang has connected the attacks to certain unidentified terrorist organisations. He claims
that the attack in Plateau State is funded and aimed at eradicating local communities.
“I can tell you in all honesty that I cannot find any explanation other than genocide sponsored by terrorists. The
question is, who are the persons behind the organisers of this terrorism? This is what the security agencies must help
us to unravel,” the governor said on Tuesday while granting an Interview.
“We must come to the point where we know the sponsors because it is not just the work of ordinary people. This is
being sponsored from somewhere, and I am sure that in the coming days, the security agencies will work together –
not at cross purposes but in unison – to be able to bring out the requisite intelligence that will help us to put this matter behind us.”
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The assaults are the most recent in a string of attacks on Plateau, which has previously documented comparable
occurrences.
According to researchers, the factors that lead to conflict in Plateau state are frequently complex. Some have
connected it to the conflict between herders and farmers over resources.
However, Muftwang compared the attacks on the state to terrorist activities and claimed they go beyond the fight for
scarce resources.
He said over 64 communities in the state have been taken over by bandits who have sacked villagers.
“As I am talking to you, there are not less than 64 communities that have been taken over by bandits on the Plateau
between Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas,” the governor said.
“They have been taken over, renamed, and people are living there conveniently on lands they pushed people away to occupy.”
Since a violent attack on a predominantly Christian town on Christmas 2023 claimed the lives of around 200 people,
tension in the state have skyrocketed.
About 40 people were slain, and houses set on fire in the town of Wase in May of last year.
Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), visited the site of the most recent attacks earlier this week and pledged to put an end to the state’s atrocities.
