Mangu Killings: ‘Nobody will take over your land’ — Governor Mutfwang tells residents

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has strongly assured residents of Bin Mper in Mangu Local Government Area that their ancestral lands are secure and will not be taken over, following a brutal attack on the community. The governor made this commitment during a visit to sympathize with victims and the families of those killed in the early hours of Tuesday.

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This is not an attack on the community alone; it is an attack on me. I pray that God will grant you peace and comfort.

Describing the attack as "barbaric, senseless and unacceptable," Governor Mutfwang stated that it was an assault not only on the community but also on his administration. He pledged that the government would ensure justice for the perpetrators, noting that the police had already arrested some suspects. "We will do everything within our powers to ensure that you remain on your land. Nobody will take over your land," he declared.

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The police have said that some persons have been arrested, and we will follow the matter to its logical conclusion.

The governor revealed that the attack occurred while his administration was in the process of reviewing the state's security architecture in collaboration with security agencies. He has engaged with the new General Officer Commanding, 3 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Maxwell Dangana, to enhance the protection of vulnerable communities. Additional measures and strengthened security arrangements are being introduced to prevent further incidents.

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We will do everything within our powers to ensure that you remain on your land. Nobody will take over your land.

Governor Mutfwang also emphasized the importance of sustained cooperation among communities, traditional rulers, government, and security agencies in combating insecurity. He commended the resilience of Plateau youths in supporting community protection efforts and urged them to remain peaceful and vigilant. The governor expressed confidence that the state would ultimately overcome the challenges posed by banditry, terrorism, and other criminal activities. During a security briefing, he called for more proactive, intelligence-driven, and coordinated operations. He later visited the traditional ruler, John Hirse, to offer condolences to the Mwaghavul community, reiterating his administration's commitment to strengthening security across the state.

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This is something we least expected. People were asleep when they were massacred. Mangu is one of the most peaceful local government areas. We live peacefully with our neighbours and accommodate visitors, yet we were attacked.