A Plateau State security expert, Gershon Yamba, has criticised Governor Caleb Mutfwang over the persistent attacks and killings across the state, alleging that the government’s increased security expenditure in the past six months has failed to stem the violence.
Yamba made the accusation on Sunday at a security symposium organised by the Plateau Security Forum in Jos, where he also alleged that Mutfwang had failed to fulfil his statutory responsibility of safeguarding the lives and property of residents, according to Daily Post.
The security expert referenced the recent attack on Bin-Per community in Mangu Local Government Area, where at least 25 people were reportedly killed while homes and farmlands were destroyed by terrorists.
He described the incident as particularly troubling because it occurred in the governor’s home local government area.
He further claimed that more than 200 people had been killed by terrorists in various Plateau communities since the beginning of the year, despite what he described as the huge sums being committed to security by the state government.
“It is sad that under the watch of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, we have had an unprecedented rise in violent attacks, killings and destruction of local communities in Plateau State, despite the huge amount of money spent on security in the past six months,” Yamba said.
“Just last week, a report revealed that in the past six months, Plateau State spent N23.69 billion to fight insecurity in the state, amounting to 9.39 per cent of the state’s allocation from the Federal Government.
“It is therefore worrying that despite the huge expenditure on security, our people are still being killed and displaced from their communities by terrorists.
“What do we make of that? It is glaring that this administration, under the watch of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, has failed to protect the people, which is his core and mandatory duty,” he stated.
Yamba also criticised what he described as repetitive government statements issued after attacks and other violent incidents in the state.
“We are really tired of the rehashed statements by the government whenever this violence occurs and our people are killed.
“The Ministry of Information and the governor’s spokespersons would always come up with the same rhetoric, promising to take decisive action. But after the speeches, that would be the end until the next cycle of attacks.
“Imagine what happened in Bin-Per in the governor’s home council. The community is a few kilometres from his own community, and yet the terrorists had a field day.
“Is that not a sign of failure? We have written several position papers and sent proposals to the government with suggestions on how insecurity should be handled.
“But because we are not in government or close to the corridors of power, no one listens to us,” Yamba said.
He nevertheless pledged to continue speaking out against the worsening security situation in Plateau State, insisting that the security challenges required sustained attention and action.
“We will not stop telling the truth to power or keep quiet while our people are being killed and our communities are ravaged by terrorists and bandits,” the security expert said.
