Gov Muftwang Says Bandits Have Taken Over 64 Communities In Plateau
Plateau State Governor Caleb Muftwang has characterized the recent surge of violence in the region as a “sponsored genocide” aimed at annihilating entire communities, claiming that armed bandits have gained control over at least 64 villages.
During an appearance on the Channels Television program Politics Today on Tuesday, Governor Muftwang voiced his grave concerns regarding the ongoing assaults that have resulted in over 50 fatalities and the displacement of thousands in the Bokkos Local Government Area and surrounding regions.
“I can honestly say that I see no explanation other than genocide orchestrated by terrorists,” the governor stated. “The pressing question is, who are the individuals behind the orchestrators of this terrorism? This is a matter that security agencies must help us to investigate.”
He underscored the necessity for a unified approach among security forces to identify and dismantle the networks responsible for the violence. “This is being funded from an external source, and I am confident that in the days ahead, the security agencies will collaborate—not work at cross purposes—but in harmony to gather the necessary intelligence that will enable us to resolve this issue,” he remarked.
The governor’s comments come in the wake of a renewed wave of lethal attacks in Plateau State, particularly in Bokkos LGA, where numerous communities have been destroyed in what locals and officials describe as targeted assaults.
Governor Muftwang further revealed that armed groups have forcibly occupied and renamed numerous communities, leaving residents displaced and unable to return to their ancestral homes. “As I speak, there are at least 64 communities that have been overtaken by bandits in Plateau, spanning Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom local government areas,” he noted. “These areas have been seized, renamed, and individuals are now residing there comfortably on lands from which they have displaced the original inhabitants.”
Plateau State, located in Nigeria’s North-Central region, has historically experienced ethno-religious and resource-related conflicts, primarily involving clashes between agricultural communities and herders. Nevertheless, Muftwang emphasized that the magnitude and coordination of the recent assaults suggest more nefarious intentions. “These are not random acts. This is a pattern — systematic and organized,” he stated.
The governor’s concerning disclosures have heightened demands for immediate federal action, including a strong security initiative to reclaim occupied areas and safeguard at-risk communities. Although the Federal Government has not yet officially addressed the governor’s claims, there is increasing pressure on security forces to not only halt the attacks but also to identify and bring to justice those orchestrating them.
