Governor Caleb Mutfwang has issued a strong and emotional call for unity among the people of Plateau State, warning that continued disunity is fueling the persistent killings and insecurity affecting the region.
Speaking on Monday at an expanded emergency stakeholders’ meeting held at the Rayfield Government House in Jos, the governor described the ongoing violence as “nothing short of genocide” and urged leaders at all levels to put aside political, ethnic, and religious divisions to confront the deepening crisis.
“Our greatest challenge is disunity,” Governor Mutfwang stated. “The enemies of Plateau will only be defeated when we come together as a people to confront them.”
The governor lamented that the long-standing inability of Plateau residents to stand as one has emboldened the perpetrators of violent attacks on innocent communities across the state.
Tracing the roots of the crisis, Mutfwang recalled that the wave of insecurity dates back to the administration of former Governor Joshua Dariye, emphasizing that Plateau has been a hotspot of violence for over two decades. “From the time of Governor Dariye till today, we have had killings. President Obasanjo even declared a state of emergency in Plateau. Commissions of inquiry were set up, and yet, nothing changed,” he said.
Mutfwang also noted the severe impact of insecurity on the state’s agricultural sector, saying many farmlands have become no-go areas due to the constant threat of attacks. “This is not just about attacks; it’s about the survival of our people,” he added.
The governor called on former governors, lawmakers at both state and national levels, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and civil society organizations to come together and chart a new path for peace and stability in the state.
“We must rise above our differences and unite to secure the future of Plateau,” he urged.
