Plateau State Security Crisis: Government Condemns Renewed Attacks and Killings in Local Communities

 

​The fragile peace in the Middle Belt has faced a distressing setback as the Plateau State Government officially condemned a fresh wave of violence and killings across several communities. In a statement released on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, the administration expressed deep "sadness and profound concern" over the resurgence of coordinated attacks that have claimed lives and destroyed property. This latest development has prompted an immediate security review, as Governor Caleb Mutfwang vows to prevent a return to the dark days of widespread communal bloodshed.

​A Sudden Surge: The Targeted Communities

​The renewed violence reportedly broke out in the late hours of Tuesday, spreading across vulnerable settlements in the state. While the specific casualty figures are still being verified by security operatives, local reports indicate that the attackers targeted farming communities during a period when residents were preparing for the upcoming agricultural season.

​The Plateau State Commissioner for Information, acting on behalf of the Governor, described the attacks as "senseless and barbaric." The government noted that these actions are a deliberate attempt to undermine the significant progress made by the current administration in fostering inter-ethnic harmony and restoring the state’s reputation as the "Home of Peace and Tourism."

​Government Response: "No Hiding Place for Criminals"

​Governor Caleb Mutfwang has reacted swiftly to the crisis by directing the Plateau State Peace Building Agency (PPBA) and relevant security agencies to intensify their presence in the affected areas. The government’s strategy to contain the violence focuses on three key pillars:

1. ​Rapid Deployment: Reinforcing security cordons in the flashpoint areas of Mangu, Bokkos, and Barkin Ladi to prevent reprisal attacks.
2. ​Intelligence Gathering: Working with local community leaders to identify the perpetrators and their hideouts.
3. ​Humanitarian Aid: The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has been mobilized to provide immediate relief to those displaced by the recent skirmishes.

​“We will not allow the enemies of Plateau to take us backward,” the Governor stated. “Our security agencies have been given clear instructions to hunt down those responsible for this carnage and bring them to justice.”




​Analyzing the Roots of Renewed Violence

​The Plateau State security crisis is often characterized by a complex mix of land disputes, ethno-religious tensions, and farmer-herder conflicts. Analysts suggest that the timing of these renewed killings—coming just as the state was stabilizing—points to a "spoilers' agenda."

​The "Spoilers' Agenda"

​Security experts believe that certain elements are uncomfortable with the successful peace initiatives launched in late 2025. By instigating fresh violence, these groups aim to:

• ​Displace Farmers: Preventing them from planting, which threatens the state's food security.
• ​Create Political Instability: Forcing the government to divert resources from development to crisis management.
• ​Erode Public Trust: Making citizens feel that the state is incapable of protecting them.

​The Role of Security Agencies: A Call for Proactivity

​While the state government has expressed its commitment, the burden of physical protection lies with the Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) and the Nigeria Police Force. The Plateau State Government has called on the federal security apparatus to move from a "reactive" to a "proactive" stance.

​Key Recommendations for Improved Security:

• ​Aerial Surveillance: Utilizing drones to monitor the rugged terrains that attackers often use as escape routes.
• ​Community Policing: Strengthening the "Rainbow" security outfit (Plateau’s local vigilante group) to provide early warning signals.
• ​Border Control: Monitoring the movements of "mercenaries" across state lines who are often blamed for these coordinated raids.

​Humanitarian Impact and the Path to Recovery

​Beyond the immediate loss of life, the psychological impact on Plateau communities is immense. Fear has once again gripped rural dwellers, with some abandoning their ancestral homes for safer urban centers. The government has appealed for calm, urging residents not to take the law into their own hands through reprisal attacks.

​"Reprisals only lead to a cycle of blood that no one wins," the Commissioner for Information warned. The administration is currently organizing a high-level security meeting with traditional rulers and religious leaders to douse tensions and ensure that the narrative of peace remains stronger than the narrative of war.

​Conclusion: A Test of Leadership

​The renewed killings in Plateau State represent a significant test for Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s administration in 2026. The world is watching to see if the government can translate its "condemnation" into "consequences" for the killers. For the people of Plateau, the hope remains that the "Home of Peace" will not be redefined by the frequency of its funerals, but by the strength of its justice system and the resilience of its diverse people.