The Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has promised swift justice for victims of recent gunmen attacks in Dorowa Babuje and Jong communities of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
Represented by his deputy, Ngo Piyo, Mutfwang, who visited the affected communities on Thursday, commiserated with residents and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustaining the relative peace in the state.
“Acts of violence against innocent citizens will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” the governor declared, warning that such heinous crimes would face the full weight of the law.
Mutfwang expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing it as a painful setback, and assured that security agencies had been directed to intensify investigations, hunt down the perpetrators and bring them to book.
He appealed to youths and residents to remain vigilant, security-conscious and law-abiding, while strongly cautioning against taking the law into their own hands.
The Chairman of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Stephen Pwajok, commended security operatives for their prompt response in containing the situation and preventing further bloodshed.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Non-Governmental Organisations, Abubakar Kanam, reiterated the government’s concern for the welfare and safety of citizens, calling on residents to embrace peace, unity and cooperation with authorities at all levels.
The Gwom Rwei of Barkin Ladi, Da Edward Bot, described the events as deeply unfortunate and a blow to the area’s development and stability. He appealed to residents to sheathe their swords, opt for dialogue and work together to restore normalcy.
The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Barkin Ladi LGA, Rev. Samson Dido, highlighted the need for religious tolerance, stressing that no religion is superior to another and that peaceful coexistence remains key to community progress.
In Jong community, the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Tambari Gizo, thanked the government for identifying with the people in their grief and urged all sides to let bygones be bygones while pursuing peaceful coexistence.
The governor’s entourage included the Coordinator of Operation Rainbow, Gen. Gakji Shipi (rtd), the Executive Secretary of the Plateau State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board, Daiyabu Dauda, and other senior officials.
Our correspondent reports that nine victims of a terror attack in Dorowa Babuje community, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, were on Tuesday laid to rest in a mass burial conducted in the community.
The burial ceremony attracted a large gathering of grieving family members, community leaders, religious figures and concerned residents who came to pay their last respects to the deceased.
The Chairman of the Regional Church Council of the Church of Christ in Nigeria, Ezekiel Dachomo, who officiated at the ceremony, condemned the killings while lamenting the calamity that had befallen the people.
Dachomo called for the protection of Christian communities facing persecution and urged forgiveness for the perpetrators.
“The need for protection of Christians and Christian communities that are facing persecution is paramount. We need to pray for the widows and those who lost their breadwinners. We also need to forgive even the bandits,” Dachomo said.
