Bandits have hijacked 64 communities in Plateau

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Muftwang, has expressed deep concern over the growing insecurity in the state, revealing that bandits have taken control of at least 64 communities.

Speaking during an interview on Politics Today aired on Channels Television on Tuesday, Governor Muftwang described the situation as alarming and unacceptable.

He lamented the persistent attacks on local communities, which have displaced residents and destabilized daily life.

“These communities that have been recently attacked were part of the communities that were attacked in 2023 but they survived it and rebuilt themselves.

“The Ruwi community that was first attacked lost about 17 people in 2023 but they bounced back to show you the resilience of the people,” the governor said.

Over fifty persons were killed within a week in attacks over five communities that left over three hundred houses burnt by unknown gunmen.

The Plateau State Government, through the Secretary to the Government Samuel Jatau, also visited some of the affected communities to ascertain the extent of damages and also donate relief materials to affected victims.

Adu expressed the Federal Government’s determination in finding solutions to the incessant attacks and killings.

But the governor said the attacks that have ravaged the North-Central state is not new. He specifically said the state has been experiencing similar incidents for over 10 years but have not gathered national attention

“If these attacks have been going on for close to 10 years, it tells you that there is a deliberate, conscious attempt to clean out populations.

“As I am talking to you, there are not less than 64 communities that have been taken over by bandits on the Plateau between Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Governments.

“They have been taken over, renamed and people are living there conveniently on lands they pushed people away to occupy,” the governor said.