Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, as a step towards recovering communities occupied by terrorists in the state, has ordered a census of people living in the area, emphasising the need for proper documentation of residents.
He made this order during a visit to the Tyop community in the Mangu Local Government Area of the state on Saturday.
The governor’s move aims to address the growing security concerns in the state, where 64 communities have been occupied by terrorists.
The governor condemned the arrangement where indigenous populations are chased out of their ancestral homes, calling it a ploy to keep people in poverty.
Mutfwang emphasised the need for law-abiding citizens, stating that the state cannot afford to be lawless.
The governor said, “I want a census of people living in this place (Tyop community ) .When they built their houses, who gave them permission to build their houses? We can not afford to be lawless. Let me make it clear, any district head that allows people to settle within the district without proper documentation of who they are, that district head knows that he will dance to the music that will follow accordingly.
“We will not allow this nonsense to continue. We have to be law abiding. We cannot be lawless. This kind of arrangement where indigenous population are chased out their ancestral homes is an arrangement to keep our people in poverty and we cannot accept it.”
The governor appealed for a peaceful engagement with the occupants and urged security agencies to take charge.
He added, “We want everybody to leave in peace. We welcome people who want land to build houses, but there is a procedure which must be followed.
“You can’t just come from nowhere and start building houses in the middle of nowhere. It is not done anywhere. Worse still, people were chased out of their homes; you take it over and occupy it. This is not right. This is not correct. So, we need to engage these people, and I want us to do it as peacefully as possible because we can’t continue to allow this kind of story to continue to repeat itself.”
Mutfwang, who also visited other communities recently attacked by bandits in the Bokkos Local Government Area, including Hurti, Daho, and other severely affected areas, interacted with the Internally Displaced Persons in the council.
The governor said he was moved by their harrowing conditions, especially those of women and children, and encouraged the displaced residents not to abandon their ancestral lands to strangers and land grabbers.
He emphasised the need for unity, resilience, and vigilance in the face of adversity.
Addressing youths in the affected communities, the governor urged them to resist distractions and channel their energies toward protecting their people and heritage, as they are the future leaders of their areas.
Mutfwang acknowledged the president’s support and pledged to personally brief him on the dire situation on the ground to facilitate stronger security measures.
Speaking to displaced persons at Hurti in the Manguna District, the governor reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to rebuilding the destroyed communities and ensuring the safe return of all displaced persons to their homes.
He emphasised that the government is doing everything within the law to provide adequate security, particularly in Bokkos LGA, to allow farmers access to their lands.
He noted that the timing of these attacks, during the farming season, is a calculated attempt to entrench poverty and hunger by denying people access to their farms and destroying their harvests.
“We are here to witness firsthand the devastation caused by these acts of banditry. This village recorded one of the highest numbers of casualties in this coordinated act of terrorism and genocide. I’ve come not just to sympathise but to assure you that this government stands firmly with you.
“We must rise above our differences, unite as a people, and resist the agenda of division. God did not make a mistake by planting you in this land. The government will do its part, and I urge the youth to play their role. President Tinubu has extended his condolences and stands with you in the quest for peace and justice,” Mutfwang said.
At the St. Thomas Apostle Catholic Church in Bokkos, where many displaced persons are taking refuge, the governor expressed deep sorrow over the conditions of those affected while also commending the church for offering shelter.
He promised that the government would work swiftly to ensure they were not left displaced for long.
Mutfwang also visited the mass grave site where many community members were buried.
He pledged that a memorial would be erected in their honour. Prayers for the repose of their souls were led by Reverend Gideon Para-Mallam.
In his response, the District Head of Manguna, Raymond Alo, thanked the governor for the visit and for standing with the people in their time of distress.
He revealed that some perpetrators of the attacks are known to members of the communities and, if given the opportunity, could be identified and brought to justice.
He also appealed to the governor to intensify efforts in drawing federal attention to the plight of the victims and the urgent need for rebuilding their communities.
