Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau has called on security agencies to change tactics, following renewed violent attacks on some communities.
Mr Mutfwang made the call on Wednesday when he visited the Bindi community of Sopp in the Riyom Local Government Area (LGA) of the state following the recent attack on the community.
“I’m calling on the security agencies to redouble their efforts; we need to reappraise our strategy and tactics,” said Mr Mutfwang.
He stated further, “We cannot continue like this, and by the grace of God, we will soon bring this to an end.”
Gunmen had, in the early hours of Tuesday, attacked and killed 27 persons in the Bindi community. They also destroyed houses, crops and other properties worth millions.
Visibly saddened by the incident, the governor expressed regret that the attackers succeeded in their mission despite the intelligence report at the disposal of the security agencies.
“It is very sad that we got intelligence for this attack, yet the attack still happened,” said Mr Mutfwang.
The governor directed security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the attack and bring them to book.
“The perpetrators of the act must be arrested; the era of unknown gunmen is over,” he declared. “Let’s get hold of them; I must use them to teach those who perpetrate this criminality a lesson.”
“Let me remind our security agencies again, you are not here for peacekeeping, you are here to defend the lives and property of Nigerians.
“Anybody that is threatening the lives of Nigerians is an enemy of the state and must be dealt with accordingly,” Mr Mutfwang added.
The governor, however, called on community residents to be law-abiding, adding that the government would conduct coordinated burial rites for the deceased persons.
He also promised that the government would provide succour to those who lost their homes and other properties during the attack.
Ezekiel Davou, the community’s youth leader, commended the governor for identifying with them over the attack.
Mr Davou, who explained that the attack occurred at about 3:00 a.m. on Tuesday, said eight hamlets were affected.
He appealed to the governor to, as a matter of urgency, extend support to the affected persons to rebuild their houses, adding that the villagers had resolved not to leave their homes.
The governor also visited Gwareng and Bachi communities, all in Riyom LGA, which were recently attacked.
(NAN)
