Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has made a bold appeal to communities across the state to take their security into their own hands amid escalating violence and deadly attacks, which have claimed over 100 lives in the last two weeks alone.
The most recent incident occurred on Monday, when gunmen stormed the Zike and Kimakpa communities in the Kwall District of Bassa Local Government Area, killing more than 50 people and destroying homes and properties.
Governor Mutfwang, who visited the grief-stricken communities on Tuesday, described the situation as dire and unacceptable. Addressing residents, he acknowledged the pain and frustration felt by the victims and reiterated that his administration was doing everything within its power to confront the security crisis head-on.
“From the onset of our administration, we prioritized security and have invested heavily in technological solutions to improve surveillance and response time,” the governor stated, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). “Yet, despite our efforts, these attacks continue, and they are slowing our progress and robbing our people of peace and livelihood.”
A Crisis Beyond Government Alone
While assuring residents that the state government would continue supporting security forces, Mutfwang stressed that the current level of insecurity had reached a point where communities must become active participants in their own defense.
“No security measure will be effective without community involvement. We have come to a point in Nigeria where every community must rise and defend itself,” he said. “This is not a call to lawlessness, but a reality we must face. We cannot fold our arms while our people are being killed in their homes and on their farms.”
Mutfwang made it clear that self-defense does not mean taking the law into one’s own hands but rather cooperating with security agencies and embracing community vigilance and early-warning systems. He also emphasized the need for youth engagement, urging young people to organize responsibly and contribute to safeguarding their towns and villages.
A Deepening Tragedy
The recurring violence in Plateau and other northern states continues to highlight the fragile state of Nigeria’s internal security. The attacks, often linked to clashes between armed herders and local farming communities, are fueled by competition over land and resources, ethno-religious tensions, and a broader national failure to resolve the rural security crisis.
In his remarks, Mutfwang lamented how the unrest has crippled agriculture, which is the backbone of Plateau’s economy. “Our people can no longer go to their farms. They live in constant fear. This is not where we should be as a state or as a nation,” he said.
He also extended his condolences to families who have lost loved ones and pledged to ensure that those responsible for the killings are held accountable. “We owe it to the victims to pursue justice,” the governor said.
Federal Backing and Security Force Mobilization
Governor Mutfwang expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the federal government’s support so far and appealed for more coordinated action from Nigeria’s security agencies.
“We came here today with all the security heads in the state to demonstrate our commitment. We are not just here for show; we are here to act,” he told residents.
Since taking office in 2023, Mutfwang’s administration has provided logistical and operational support to the military, police, and civil defense corps. However, he noted that the scale of the violence has outpaced available resources and called for national reinforcements and strategic reform of Nigeria’s security architecture.
The Debate Around Self-Defense
Governor Mutfwang’s comments echo previous calls by prominent Nigerian leaders such as former Chief of Army Staff, Theophilus Danjuma, who has advocated for communities to take up arms in self-defense amid persistent failures by state security agencies. While such views resonate with many communities under attack, critics warn that encouraging self-defense without strict regulation could further escalate violence, empower militias, and lead to the proliferation of illegal weapons.
Across states like Benue, Taraba, Kaduna, and Niger, thousands have been killed in similar attacks over the past decade. Despite repeated military operations and peace-building initiatives, the violence continues unabated, often leaving behind destroyed villages, displaced families, and a growing sense of despair.
Conclusion
Governor Mutfwang’s declaration that “every community must defend itself” underscores a sobering reality—that for many Nigerians, the state’s promise of security feels increasingly out of reach. His message is both a rallying cry and a reflection of the urgent need for local solutions in a national crisis.
Whether this approach will reduce or worsen the violence remains to be seen, but what is clear is that the people of Plateau—and many other parts of Nigeria—can no longer afford to wait passively for protection.
