Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State on Saturday toured villages in Bokkos Local Government Area recently ravaged by gunmen, pledging to secure lives and livelihoods in the region.
Arriving in Hurti, Josho, Daffo and surrounding settlements, the governor met with grieving families and inspected burned homes.
He described the raids as a deliberate tactic to keep residents in “perpetual poverty” and urged unity and vigilance.
“I have come to see things for myself, so as to know the next line of action; it will enable me to report back to the president so as to prevent the repeat of this ugly incident,” Mutfwang said, committing to coordinate with federal authorities for a lasting solution.
He warned that the attackers aim not only to kill but to drive farmers off their land.
“It’s God that put all of you here, no one can drive you away. All that’s happening is to frighten you to abandon your land. These happenings are to prevent all of you from farming; it is not just killing people, but to ensure that we remain poor. But we will resist it,” he added.
To bolster community resilience, the governor promised upgrades to roads, electricity, potable water and mobile network services.
He also appealed directly to local youth: “Shun all criminal acts and unite to defend your communities from further attacks.”
Mutfwang praised residents for remaining on their ancestral land despite the violence and vowed to assist in rebuilding.
He extended gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for federal support.
“We are grateful to the president for his concern for our people; the president has no intention to colonise our people but to unite them.”
“He has demonstrated his genuine love for Plateau in this trying time and he is doing everything to end this circle of attacks,” the governor said.
Raymond Alo, District Head of Manguna, welcomed the governor’s visit and thanked him for providing food and relief items to displaced families.”
“He appealed for building materials to restore destroyed homes “in no distant time.”
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, gunmen struck Hurti, Josho, Daffo and other Manguna District communities on April 2, killing more than 40 people, destroying 383 houses and displacing some 1,000 residents.
