Plateau State Governor, Caleb Muftwang, has raised alarm over the increasing attacks by bandits in the state, claiming that over 64 communities have been taken over by these criminals in recent years. The governor’s comments come amid growing concerns about the insecurity in the state, with recent attacks leaving dozens of people dead and hundreds of houses destroyed.
In a Tuesday interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Governor Muftwang provided a disturbing update on the state of security in Plateau. He explained that the bandits, often suspected to be herdsmen, have wreaked havoc on communities, particularly in the northern parts of the state. He added that these attacks have become more frequent and deadly, causing widespread fear and displacement among residents.
“These communities that have been recently attacked were part of the communities that were attacked in 2023 but they survived it and rebuilt themselves. The Ruwi community that was first attacked lost about 17 people in 2023 but they bounced back to show you the resilience of the people,” the governor said, reflecting on the devastation caused by the violence.
Recent reports indicate that more than 50 people were killed in a series of attacks across five communities in Plateau over the past week alone. In addition to the loss of lives, the attacks also led to the destruction of more than 300 homes. According to local sources, these attacks are believed to have been carried out by suspected herdsmen, further intensifying the growing fears about the role of these groups in the violence.
Governor Muftwang also revealed that these attacks are part of a broader trend of insecurity that has plagued Plateau for nearly a decade. He claimed that the state has been under siege by bandits for over 10 years, with little national attention given to the scale of the crisis. The governor’s remarks suggest that these attacks are not isolated incidents but rather part of a coordinated effort to displace local populations and take control of their lands.
“If these attacks have been going on for close to 10 years, it tells you that there is a deliberate, conscious attempt to clean out populations and to reopen,” Muftwang said. His comments underline the deep-rooted nature of the conflict in Plateau, which has resulted in the displacement of thousands of residents over the years.
According to the governor, the situation is so dire that there are currently no fewer than 64 communities in Plateau, spread across Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom Local Government Areas, that have effectively been taken over by bandits. These criminals have reportedly renamed the areas and are living on the lands they forcibly occupied, while the original inhabitants have either been killed or displaced.
The Plateau State government, through the office of the Secretary to the State Government, Samuel Jatau, has taken steps to address the crisis. Jatau visited some of the affected communities to assess the damage and provide relief materials to victims. However, despite these efforts, the scale of the attacks has left many residents feeling abandoned and vulnerable.
While the state government has called for more federal intervention to tackle the rising insecurity, the governor’s plea for help highlights the inadequacy of the response thus far. Muftwang expressed frustration that the federal government’s efforts to tackle the violence have not been sufficient, noting that Plateau State, like many other parts of Nigeria, continues to suffer from a lack of effective security measures.
In a statement, the Plateau State government reiterated the importance of strengthening security operations and increasing support for local communities to ensure their safety. The state government has also called for more attention from the federal government to address the root causes of the violence, which include poverty, unemployment, and a breakdown of law and order.
The attacks on Plateau are part of a larger pattern of violence that has been seen across Nigeria in recent years, particularly in the Middle Belt and northern regions. Banditry, herdsmen violence, and clashes between farmers and pastoralists have become a serious threat to national security, with hundreds of lives lost and many more displaced.
The situation in Plateau is also reflective of broader regional tensions. There has been increasing competition for resources, particularly land and water, between herders and farmers. This has led to violent clashes, with herdsmen accused of killing farmers and destroying crops, while farmers have retaliated by attacking herders. In many cases, these conflicts have spiraled into wider ethnic and religious violence, further complicating efforts to find a lasting solution.
For the people of Plateau, the ongoing insecurity has created a sense of hopelessness. Families have been torn apart, and communities that once thrived are now ghost towns. Many residents have fled to safer areas, while others live in constant fear of another attack.
Local authorities have called on the Nigerian military and police to increase their presence in the affected areas, and for both the federal and state governments to work together to find long-term solutions to the crisis. However, there is a growing sense that without a more coordinated effort, the violence will only continue to escalate.
The growing threat of banditry in Plateau State has prompted many to question the effectiveness of Nigeria’s security forces in tackling the scourge of violent crime. Despite efforts by the government to address the crisis, many Nigerians feel that more needs to be done to protect vulnerable communities from the growing tide of violence.
As Plateau continues to grapple with this ongoing crisis, Governor Muftwang’s call for national attention to the plight of the people of Plateau is a plea for help that resonates with many other states facing similar challenges. Until a comprehensive strategy is developed to address the root causes of the violence and ensure the safety of Nigerians, it seems likely that the insecurity in Plateau and other parts of the country will only worsen.
For now, the people of Plateau remain in fear, as bandits continue to control large swathes of the state, leaving a trail of death, destruction, and displacement in their wake.
