Governor Caleb Mutfwang on Thursday, undertook an on the spot assessment of various communities that suffered attacks from Fulani militias especially in Mangu, Riyom and Barkin Ladi local government areas where over 200 people were killed and several thousands of others displaced.
In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Gyang Bere, Gov. Mutfwang wondered why the attacks were happening now, and who brought the attackers into the state, while urging community leaders to expose those who were working to cause disaffection in the state which has a history of peaceful coexistence.
“I have asked God to strengthen my own heart,” Mutfwang said.
“It was after the inauguration on Monday that we had our Security Council Meeting on Tuesday, and we agreed that we needed to come in immediately to show solidarity with our people and encourage them that all hope is not lost.
“This magnitude of madness and carnage has never happened in Mangu Local Government Area. There have been isolated and sporadic incidents and you begin to ask why and why now. But we have come to encourage you as leaders of our people to know that God is on the throne.
“What has happened is a terrible setback and depressing; that these people that we have lost in a very callous manner with several others that their death will not be in vain.
“We should be encouraged that by the grace of God, help is on our way,” he said while addressing community leaders in Mangu which was his first port of call.
“It is in moments like these that we come together as a people and forget our differences and fight the enemy that is coming from outside.
“Let us use this period to make things right and avoid unnecessary bickering.
“By the grace of God from next week, we are setting up a Standing Committee that will look after the welfare and wellbeing of all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) on the Plateau.
“We are also reaching out to organizations to come to the aid of our people. The welfare of our people will not be left unattended to.
“This is a farming season; we are also trying to see how we can procure some fertilizer that we will be able to distribute to our farmers at a discounted rate. You should continue to pray for us and by the grace of God, we will change things for the better,” he added.
