Governor Caleb Mutfwang visited the communities of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area that were recently attacked by gunmen, accompanied by Dr. Bernard Doro, Nigeria’s minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction. The visit came after armed assailants struck the towns of Nding and surrounding villages, killing several residents, wounding others and destroying property valued at millions of naira.
During the tour, Governor Mutfwang met with grieving families, offered condolences and pledged a stronger security response. He later joined traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders for a town‑hall meeting in Barkin Ladi. “I convey my sincere condolences to the good people of Barkin Ladi, especially to families who have lost loved ones in these painful attacks,” the governor said.
The governor acknowledged that the spate of violence in recent weeks has unsettled both the populace and the administration. “The security challenges affecting our communities, including Barkin Ladi town, have left us deeply concerned. As your leader, I assure you that we are prepared to protect this state,” he added.
Government intelligence, according to Mutfwang, has confirmed the presence of terrorist elements in several communities around Barkin Ladi. He assured residents that security forces would soon move to flush out the perpetrators and dismantle their hideouts.
Governor Mutfwang praised President Bola Tinubu for supporting ongoing efforts to end the violence in Plateau State. “Those who choose to disturb the peace of our land will find no peace. Our capacity to confront these terrorists is unquestioned, and the President is committed to removing every terrorist from our territory,” he said.
The governor warned political actors against exploiting the security crisis for partisan gain and called on security agencies to intensify operations. He appealed to community and religious leaders to unite across ethnic and faith lines, emphasizing that collective unity is essential to counter criminal networks threatening peaceful coexistence.
Mutfwang also addressed the youth, urging them to reject cattle‑rustling, night grazing, under‑age grazing and illegal night mining, and to channel their energy toward protecting their communities from external attackers. He stressed that his administration would not tolerate activities that exacerbate insecurity.
In concluding remarks, the governor appealed to residents to remain law‑abiding and avoid retaliatory attacks. “Cooperation with the authorities will strengthen our efforts to restore lasting stability,” he said.
The governor’s visit and the ensuing dialogue underscore the state’s resolve to intensify security operations and restore peace to Plateau’s troubled communities. Further updates are expected as security forces commence targeted actions against the identified threats.
