The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, has revealed new details about the recent deadly attack in Jos, saying the gunmen carefully studied residents and disguised themselves as operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) before striking.
The governor made this known during an interview on Politics Today on Friday, where he described the incident as both “unfortunate” and “worrisome.”
The attack, which shocked residents of Jos, left many dead and several others injured, raising fresh concerns about security in the state.
According to Mutfwang, the attackers took advantage of the peaceful atmosphere that had existed in the state for nearly a year.
He explained that the gunmen had closely observed the behaviour of residents and used that knowledge to plan their attack.
The governor said the attackers arrived in a manner similar to NDLEA officials, who are known to carry out raids in communities to arrest suspected drug users and dealers.
“People are used to seeing NDLEA operatives come into communities for operations,” he said. “So when the attackers came in that same pattern, hooded and acting like security agents, residents did not suspect anything at first.”
He added that the attackers began shooting in a style similar to law enforcement operations, which further confused the community.
By the time residents realised that the situation was not a routine operation, the attackers had already caused significant damage and escaped.
The governor noted that both residents and security personnel were caught off guard due to the level of peace the state had enjoyed in recent months.
“As a matter of fact, the community was blindsided,” he said. “Security personnel were also caught off guard because of the relative peace we have enjoyed for the past 10 months to one year.”
He explained that people had gathered as usual on a Sunday evening to relax, unaware of the danger that was about to unfold.
The sudden nature of the attack made it difficult for anyone to respond quickly, allowing the gunmen to carry out their operation with little resistance.
By pretending to be officials of a recognised agency like the NDLEA, attackers can gain easy access to communities and reduce suspicion.
In this case, the attackers reportedly used the trust people have in security agencies to carry out their plan.
This method, according to analysts, shows a high level of planning and understanding of local behaviour.
The incident has once again brought attention to the security situation in Plateau State, which has experienced repeated outbreaks of violence over the years.
While some periods have been relatively calm, sudden attacks like this continue to raise fears among residents.
Jos, the state capital, has in the past witnessed clashes linked to ethnic and religious tensions, as well as attacks by armed groups.
Although the state government and security agencies have made efforts to restore peace, incidents like the recent attack highlight the fragile nature of security in the region.
Despite the seriousness of the incident, Governor Mutfwang expressed confidence that it would not become a regular occurrence.
“It is quite unfortunate and worrisome, having such an incident occur in the city centre,” he said. “But we are confident that this will be a one-off event.”
He assured residents that the government is working closely with security agencies to prevent similar attacks in the future.
The governor also called for vigilance among residents, urging them to report suspicious activities and remain alert at all times.
Following the attack, there have been calls for increased awareness among residents about how to identify genuine security operations.
Community leaders have urged people to verify the identity of individuals claiming to be security agents, especially in unusual situations.
As investigations continue, many residents of Jos are still trying to come to terms with the shock of the attack.
Families of victims are mourning their losses, while others are calling for justice and stronger security measures.
The state government has promised to review its security strategy and strengthen cooperation with federal agencies.
For now, the focus remains on preventing further attacks and restoring confidence among residents.
The revelation by Governor Mutfwang highlights the changing tactics of attackers and the need for both authorities and citizens to adapt.
As Plateau State works to maintain peace, the incident serves as a reminder that vigilance and preparedness remain key in addressing security challenges.