Plateau killings are genocide, not clashes — Gov Mutfwang

Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has strongly condemned the latest wave of violence that claimed over 50 lives in Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas, describing the attacks as part of a deliberate campaign of genocide against indigenous Plateau communities, rather than isolated farmer-herder clashes.

Speaking on Sunday in Abuja during a meeting with indigenes of the state, Governor Mutfwang expressed outrage over the March 28 attacks, which saw coordinated assaults by suspected herders on several villages.

He emphasized that the persistent mischaracterization of such violence must end, asserting that what is happening is a “sustained effort to wipe out native communities.”

“We will no longer allow those who commit atrocities in our communities to go unpunished,” Mutfwang declared. “Anyone found to have shed innocent blood will face the full weight of the law.”

Despite calls to postpone the meeting in light of the tragic events, the governor said the gathering went ahead after broad consultations with community leaders both within and outside the state.

He used the occasion to rally support for justice and reaffirm his administration’s resolve to secure affected communities.

READ ALSO: Ten Killed in Plateau State as Fresh Attacks Hit Bokkos Communities

Governor Mutfwang lamented that the attacks have once again disrupted the fragile peace the state enjoyed for more than a year following the December 2023 killings.

He noted that the Plateau had been on the path of recovery and rebuilding its identity as the “Home of Peace and Tourism,” only for fresh violence to erupt at the start of the farming season.

“These attacks are clearly strategic,” the governor said. “They are not random, but calculated moves to intimidate, displace, and impoverish our people. But let it be known that we will not be deterred. Plateau people will farm this year. No act of terror will stop us from cultivating our land and securing our future.”

Mutfwang expressed appreciation for the solidarity and condolences pouring in from across the country and revealed that he has held high-level discussions with national security chiefs to push for stronger protection measures in vulnerable communities.

The March 28 incident stands among the deadliest recent attacks in Plateau State, reigniting concerns over escalating insecurity in a region historically marred by ethno-religious tensions and land-related disputes.