“Plateau Killings: Governor Caleb Mutfwang Orders Security Overhaul After Mass Burial of Barkin Ladi Victims.”
JOS , Nigeria Governor Caleb Mutfwang has vowed a decisive and coordinated security crackdown following the killing of at least 10 residents in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, renewing urgent concerns over persistent violence in Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
The governor made the pledge after attending a mass burial held in honour of the victims, who were reportedly attacked by unidentified gunmen in communities within Barkin Ladi. Eyewitness accounts and local authorities indicate that the assailants stormed the area and opened fire on villagers in what security officials have described as a coordinated assault.
Addressing mourners during the burial ceremony, Mutfwang condemned the killings as “barbaric and unacceptable,” assuring affected families that perpetrators would be apprehended and prosecuted. He stressed that his administration would intensify collaboration with federal security agencies to dismantle armed networks and restore public confidence in the state’s security architecture.
Plateau has endured recurring cycles of violence over the years, frequently linked to protracted farmer herder tensions, disputes over land and grazing routes, and deep-seated ethno religious divisions. Barkin Ladi, alongside Riyom and Mangu local government areas, has remained particularly vulnerable, drawing repeated calls for strengthened federal intervention and sustainable community based peace building frameworks.
Security experts argue that while previous military deployments and joint task force operations have yielded intermittent gains, sporadic attacks continue to test the resilience of local communities and security agencies. Community leaders in Barkin Ladi have urged authorities at both state and federal levels to enhance intelligence driven operations, improve rapid response systems, and address the socio-economic triggers that sustain cycles of violence.
Governor Mutfwang reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to long-term stability across Plateau, warning that impunity would not be tolerated. He also appealed for calm, cautioning against reprisals that could escalate tensions and undermine ongoing peace efforts.
Leading Nigerian media organisations including Punch Newspapers, Premium Times, and Channels Television have reported extensively on the attack and the governor’s response, underscoring the broader security challenges confronting communities in Plateau and the wider Middle Belt region.
As investigations proceed, civil society groups are advocating for transparent accountability measures and sustained humanitarian assistance for bereaved families. For many residents, however, the immediate demand remains improved protection and credible assurances that the tragedy will not be repeated.