“Our attention has been drawn to a letter dated 26th May, 2025 and addressed to his Excellency, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang drawing his urgent attention to the security challenges in our chiefdom.
“We are not contesting the cause of the letter but are flabbergasted by the Language implored in expressing the intent of the letter. The Jhar people are known to be humble, polite and level headed and would ordinarily portray such in all presentations, expressions and advocacies.
“We are therefore, embarrassed to see the above mentioned letter addressed to the Chief Executive of the State loaded with ultimatum, insults, intimidation and threats. Such unwholesome phrases such as:
i. “We are no longer needed in Platerau State”
“This is a Political Statement that must have originated from somewhere since the authors have no evidence anywhere, oral or written that suggest that the Jhar people are not needed in Plateau State.
“We have been part and parcel of the state since Pre-colonial times and nobody, government or authority has ever threatened to sack us from the state or disenfranchises us as legitimate citizens.
ii. “All through your statements, speeches and interview there has never been a moment that you mentioned the issue of insecurity in Jhar Chiefdom of Kanam Local Government Area since the day you were sworn in as the executive Governor of Plateau State”
“This statement is a blatant lie and is intended to belittle the Governor who has been up and doing putting in his best to ensure the security and well-being of all nooks and crannies of the state.
“No Governor in North-Central Nigeria has expressed much energy and resources in containing terrorism, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, herdsmen and associated crime than Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang.
iii. “The continued silence and lack of action are unacceptable and constitute a breach of that duty”
“This is a direct confrontation with the sitting Government not withstanding the prevalence of democracy in our clime. The antecedent of some of the authors point to fact that they are either in it or let it perish.
iv. “Implementation of Community Policing Initiatives to foster trust and cooperation”
“This idea is still being debated and fine tuned at the National level to Crystalize into workable policy for implementation.
“We caution random Public Commentators to avoid Stampeding public servants into toying with proposals that have not matured.
v. “Failure to act promptly will compel us to seek legal remedies and mobilize community action to ensure our right to safety and security are upheld”
“We are pained by this obvious invitation to mass action that will not do anybody any good. These words and phrases do not suggest that the document emanated from a lower authority but from an overload.
“Moreso, that it is supposed to be an appeal in the face of several other attacks in recent tines in Mangu, Bokkos, Bassa, Barikin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Area of the State.
“Bandits, terrorist, Kidnappers and indeed Herdsmen are not authorized, we therefore wounder what leadership the care-taker of Jhar Development Association wants to give the Jhar Community.
“We are law abiding, enlightened and have the fear of God, therefore we caution the caretaker committee to stop forthwith inciting people against the government.
“We appreciate the Governor’s effort in tackling terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and all forms of criminality but like Oliver Twist, we beg for more since it appears that the more effort being made, the higher the propensity of attacks and destruction.
“In view of the fact that the current care-taker Committee of Jhar Development Association has over-stayed is welcomed, I call on our Royal Father, The Ra’an Jhar, who is Grand patron of the Association to dissolve the caretaker Committee with immediate effect as constituted a new one with a definite timeframe to conduct elections into the various offices of the Association.
“We pledge our loyalty and support to Government of Plateau State and we will continue to provide information and other required logistics necessary to actualize government’s goals and objectives.”
