Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has asked local communities to take charge of their own safety in the wake of ongoing attacks that have left more than 100 people dead in the Bassa Local Government Area within the last two weeks.
The most recent attack happened early Monday morning when gunmen stormed Zike and Kimakpa communities in the Kwall District, killing over 50 people and destroying homes and other properties.
While visiting the affected areas on Tuesday, the governor spoke about the ongoing security problems troubling the state.
He noted that such repeated attacks are preventing people from living normal lives, including farming and other businesses.
According to him, insecurity has stalled the progress of the state and robbed it of its potential.
Governor Mutfwang said his administration had already made major efforts to improve security, including investing in technology and providing support to the military and other security agencies.
However, he pointed out that no matter how much the government tries, true safety cannot be achieved without the help of local communities.
He said the people must not rely only on security agencies but should also take steps to protect themselves.
He stressed that while communities must be alert and ready to defend themselves, they must also avoid acting outside the law.
He asked the youth to be ready to protect their towns and villages but warned that this should not lead to chaos or lawbreaking.
He promised that the government would not abandon the people and would continue working to bring attackers to justice.
Governor Mutfwang also thanked President Bola Tinubu for his support and called on security forces to increase their efforts to prevent further violence.
He admitted that past efforts have not been enough, but he assured residents that steps are being taken to fix the problems.
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