The Plateau State Government in north-central Nigeria has sharply criticized the country’s military for failing to protect local communities from repeated attacks by armed groups, calling for an overhaul of security measures in conflict-hit regions. This follows a recent assault on villages in Riyom Local Government Area that left 27 civilians dead, further escalating tensions over persistent insecurity in the area.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang, during a visit to the impacted communities last Wednesday, condemned security forces for not apprehending perpetrators despite a military checkpoint situated mere meters from the attack site. “The proximity of the checkpoint made this tragedy even more unacceptable,” Mutfwang stated, emphasizing that the violence occurred despite prior intelligence warnings.
Echoing the governor’s concerns, Prof. Chris Kwaja, the state’s Special Envoy on Peace and Security, argued in a Saturday statement that the military’s heavy presence has not curbed violence. Operation Safe Haven, a joint security task force deployed to maintain stability in Plateau and neighboring states, faced direct criticism for its failure to intercept attackers during the Tuesday night raid. “The assault was preventable,” Kwaja said, citing unheeded early warnings. He urged Nigeria’s federal government to withdraw troops from high-risk zones and replace them with mobile police units, which the state believes are better trained to handle domestic security challenges.
The push to redeploy mobile police—a specialized branch of the Nigerian Police Force—reflects widening frustration with the military’s counterinsurgency strategies. Plateau State, a region plagued by intermittent clashes between farming communities and armed groups, has seen thousands displaced and hundreds killed in recent years. Critics argue troops are overstretched and ill-suited to address localized threats, while mobile police could offer a more agile, community-focused response.
Kwaja stressed that the proposed shift would prioritize rapid intervention and improved coordination with local leaders. “A transformative approach is critical to breaking this cycle of violence,” he said. The appeal comes amid national debates over Nigeria’s security architecture, with multiple states grappling with kidnappings, banditry, and communal conflicts.
While federal authorities have yet to respond to Plateau’s demands, the state’s proposals spotlight growing demands for accountability and tactical reforms. For displaced families in Riyom and surrounding villages, the immediate concern remains safety—and whether a restructured security strategy can finally deliver the stability they have long awaited.
