Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has addressed concerns about rising violence in the state on Wednesday, following a recent attack in the Bokkos Local Government Area. The attack, which occurred on Tuesday night, resulted in the deaths of eight people in the Dafo and Kwata communities when gunmen opened fire on villagers.
In response to these incidents, Governor Mutfwang, represented by Brigadier General Gagji Shippi (retd), his Special Adviser on Security and Homeland Safety, downplayed fears of a broader trend of escalating violence. Speaking during the biannual shooting range classification exercise conducted by the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army at its headquarters in Bassa Local Government Area, Mutfwang characterized the Bokkos incident as an isolated occurrence.
He emphasized that such attacks had not been seen in the region for a significant period, suggesting that the situation does not reflect a general rise in insecurity.
Governor Mutfwang assured that an investigation into the recent killings is underway. He stated that the investigation aims to uncover the root causes of the attack and to develop solutions to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The shooting range classification exercise, which takes place bi-annually, was described by Aliyu Danja, spokesman for the 3 Division of the Nigerian Army. The exercise is designed to assess the serviceability of the Army’s arsenal, test troops’ weapon handling skills, and evaluate their overall battle readiness. It also serves as an opportunity for troops to enhance their marksmanship skills, minimizing casualties and ammunition waste during operations.
The exercise facilitates improved collaboration between security agencies and fosters stronger civil-military relations. It includes participation from various stakeholders, including traditional rulers, government officials, retired senior officers, corps members, and media representatives. The inclusion of these groups is intended to build mutual respect and understanding between the military and the public.
While Governor Mutfwang acknowledged the tragic nature of the recent attack, he reassured the public that the situation is being managed and that efforts are underway to address and mitigate any potential escalation of violence.
