Gov Mutfwang Condemns Attacks as Gunmen Kill 10 in Plateau Communities

*IG redeploys police commissioner

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has condemned the renewed attacks that claimed 10 lives and property in Kopnanle community in Mangu and Mandar Shar village of Bokkos Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state.
This is as the Inspector General of Police (IG), Kayode Egbetokun, yesterday announced the redeployment of the state Commissioner of Police, Hassan Yabanet.
The attacks, which occurred on Friday night, also left some members of the affected communities injured.

A member of the community, Mr. Farmasum Fuddang in a statement in his capacity as Chairman of Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) Vanguard said: “Last night, April 12, our community in the Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State faced a horrific attack resulting in the senseless slaughter of at least ten of our members.

“Despite the presence of security forces, including the DSS, army, and Police, the perpetrators were allowed to carry out their heinous acts with impunity.
“Under the cover of darkness, more than 50 armed terrorists descended upon the villages of Mandung-Mushu and Kopnanle, targeting innocent, unarmed, and peaceful residents as they slept.
“The assailants set fire to homes and a place of worship, mercilessly gunning down fleeing civilians while nearby soldiers failed to intervene effectively.
“This brazen attack, which predominantly targeted children, appears to be part of a calculated effort to instill fear and perpetrate further displacement within our communities.

 “We condemn this act of terror, which we believe is aligned with a broader agenda to impose sharia law and seize control of our lands.
“Just hours before this tragedy unfolded, BCDC Vanguard submitted a petition to the Department of State Services (DSS), challenging a leaked memo that falsely accused our people of planning violence against Fulani residents.

 “We unequivocally stated that the intelligence behind the memo was fabricated and defamatory.
“Despite our efforts to rectify these falsehoods, the security apparatus failed to protect our community from the very threats we highlighted.
“The DSS ignored these warnings and instead chose to implicate the victims.”

Condemning the attacks, Governor Mufwang, who charged security forces in the state to redouble efforts against criminal elements, described the development as unfortunate and unacceptable, especially at a time when the government is diligently working to restore peace and security; and to facilitate the return of displaced persons to their homes.

The governor, in a statement by his spokesman, Gyang Bere, warned perpetrators of these dastardly acts to desist forthwith as the government is determined to fish them out to face justice.
While appreciating the intervention of security agencies in the protection of lives and property, Mutfwang urged them to redouble efforts in discharging their constitutional responsibility of protecting innocent communities.

He expressed deep sympathy to the bereaved families and the affected communities and prayed for quick healing of those who sustained gunshot injuries.
The governor called on community stakeholders across the state to activate dispute resolution mechanisms in tackling issues of disagreement and report without delay, early warning signs to constituted authorities for prompt intervention.

He urged for vigilance and fostering of inter-community relations by residents, particularly now that the rainy season is gearing up to ensure safer and successful farming periods.
Since the massacre of over 200 persons in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Mangu LGAs on December 24, 2023, Bokkos has continued to suffer violent attacks and killings.

Meanwhile, less than 24 hours after gunmen attacked two communities in the state, the Inspector General of Police (IG), Kayode Egbetokun, announced the redeployment of the state Commissioner of Police, Hassan Yabanet.
Even though no reason was given for the removal of Yabanet, who was deployed to the state barely one month ago, in a statement issued in Jos yesterday, the IG announced Emmanuel Adesina as the new CP for the state.

The statement, which was signed by the spokesman for the state police command, read in part, “The Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, has deemed it fit to post CP Emmanuel Adesina as Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, to take over from his predecessor, CP Hassan Steve Yabanet, who has been transferred to take over as CP Benue State Command.