Following the series of attacks and killings that have plagued some communities of Plateau State since March 28, 2025, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate and comprehensive deployment of police tactical assets to the affected areas of the state.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer of the Force, Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
He said the action underscored the Force’s resolve to restore peace, ensure the safety and security of all residents, and bring perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice.
The statement explained that the IGP has specifically tasked the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Department of Operations (DIG DOPs), DIG Kwazhi Dali Yakubu to lead and coordinate this critical intervention with significant reinforcements, including additional units of highly trained tactical personnel, state-of-the-art drones for enhanced surveillance, Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), units of Police Mobile Force, helicopters, and specialised platoons from the Special Intervention Squad (SIS).
The statement added that these resources would be strategically deployed to conduct special operations aimed at effectively curbing the incessant attacks in Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA) and surrounding communities.
The recent attacks in Plateau state have led to the death of over 50 persons within a week in over five communities that left over three hundred houses burnt by suspected herdsmen.
The Governor of the state, Caleb Muftwang, on Tuesday, decried the attacks, stating that bandits have taken over 64 communities, some of which were victims to previous attacks in 2023.
While the reason for the attack is yet to be specified, the Director of Press for the Governor, Gyang Bere, commented that the attack on Bokkos by herdsmen was a pattern, especially at the start of every farming season.
Bere said at the start of every farming season, herdsmen usually invade different communities in the state.
Speaking with News Central on Tuesday, Governor Mutfwang’s spokesman stated that such herdsmen attacks also take place during harvest periods.
He stressed that the Bokkos attack was genocide and could not be described as a farmers-herders clash.
“With regards to the root cause of the problems, one cannot actually lay his hands on any particular issue. But what we know is that it is an act of genocide, like my governor said yesterday (Monday). What could it be or how can you describe a scenario where people are mourning and some individuals open fire on them?
“And so, as we are approaching the farming season, in most cases, this is always the narrative. Once we are approaching the farming season, and sometimes the harvest period, we usually encounter this kind of thing. And this is purposely to keep the people in poverty and keep them away from their sources of livelihood. So, basically, these are some of the issues that are happening in Plateau State,” he said.
He added that the Governor was already making efforts to ensure that peace returns in the communities.
“But one thing that I can assure you is that the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, has shown resilience, has walked the top, and has done all he can to ensure that peace returns to Plateau State,” he added.
If the attacks has been perceived to have a pattern and is continuously targeted at the same communities during certain periods of the year, it is imperative that decisive and precise actions are taken to curb such attacks to prevent loss of lives and properties.
