Angry residents have criticised Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s response to Sunday’s deadly attack in Agwan Rukuba in the Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, particularly during his visit to the crime scene.
Governor Mutfwang said 28 people were killed in the attack, pledging justice and stronger security measures.
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In a state broadcast on Monday, the governor described the killings as “senseless,” saying the victims were attacked around 7:30 p.m. while going about their normal activities.
He announced a 48-hour curfew, promised to cover medical bills of the injured, and said a suspect had been arrested.
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“This time, we shall pursue the cause of justice to its logical conclusion,” the governor said, assuring residents that those responsible would be prosecuted.
PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that gunmen invaded the community, opened fire on residents, and fled through nearby routes, leaving dozens dead, although official figures have varied.
Mr Mutfwang also said he visited the scene with security chiefs and met victims at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, adding that the government would support affected families and ensure dignified burials.
However, residents who witnessed the governor’s visit to Angwan Rukuba raised concerns about how it was conducted.
The governor arrived the community in an armoured personnel carrier (APC), a military-grade vehicle used for operations in volatile environments.
The vehicle, fitted with a roof hatch, emergency lights and reinforced body plating, was surrounded by heavily armed security personnel.
Mr Mutfwang, dressed in a light-coloured outfit, was seen standing through the open hatch of the APC, holding onto the rim as he addressed residents from above.
Other officials, including aides in suits, stood on the vehicle, while security operatives maintained a tight perimeter around it.
Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES on phone, on Monday, Sati Festus, a resident of the area, said the governor did not step out to engage directly with the people.
“He came, but he did not come down. He was inside an armoured vehicle,” Mr Festus said. “We saw him through the top opening. People were expecting him to come down and speak with them.”
Another resident, Mariam Dauda, questioned the scale of security deployed for the governor’s visit compared to what was available during the attack.
“Imagine the number of police personnel that came with him, more than a hundred,” he said. “How many police were stationed here in Angwan Rukuba when people were being killed?”
Dung James, who also lives in the community, said the manner of the visit left some residents feeling disconnected from the government’s assurances.
“He said he feels our pain, but people wanted to see him stand with them physically, not from inside a security vehicle,” Mr Dung said. “It raises questions.”
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These concerns come amid broader frustrations over repeated attacks in Plateau communities, where residents say official visits and promises of justice have not always translated into arrests or lasting security improvements.
In his address, Mr Mutfwang urged residents to remain calm and avoid reprisals, commending the community for showing restraint despite the provocation.
He also directed security agencies to enforce existing restrictions on commercial motorcycle operations within the Jos metropolis as part of efforts to strengthen security.
The governor said the curfew would allow security forces to stabilise the area and prevent further violence, while a review of the state’s security architecture is underway.
For many residents, however, the immediate concern remains protection on the ground, as they weigh official assurances against their experience of recurring attacks.
