Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has paid a solemn visit to communities in Riyom Local Government Area recently devastated by coordinated attacks, declaring the killings as acts of genocide and vowing swift government action.
The governor visited Binda in Tahos Village, the worst-hit area, where suspected Fulani militias launched a deadly assault in the early hours of Tuesday, July 15, 2025. The assailants reportedly stormed the village in large numbers, killing several residents, injuring many others, and setting fire to homes and a church. Food items and property were also looted, leaving the community in ruins.
Emotion gripped the air as Governor Mutfwang met with grieving families and survivors, many of whom accused the military of failing to act, despite being stationed just 200 meters from the scene. No arrests were made following the incident, sparking public outrage and calls for accountability.
“This is not a farmer-herder conflict. This is terrorism. This is genocide—plain and simple,” Mutfwang declared during the visit. “Riyom will not fall. We will deploy every resource to stop this onslaught. The people of Plateau State deserve to live in peace and dignity.”
The governor expressed deep sympathy for the victims and announced that his administration would conduct a thorough review of the state’s security structure. He promised to push for justice and hold any complicit security personnel accountable.
“These attackers are not ghosts. They are known, and they must be found. I want to hear of arrests, not excuses. This era of ‘unknown gunmen’ must end,” he said.
Governor Mutfwang also promised dignified burials for those killed and pledged support for displaced families, vowing not to allow their ancestral lands to be overtaken.
“Young people defending their communities must be supported, not criminalized. We see your bravery and we will back you,” he added.
In addition to Binda, the governor extended his visit to Gwong, Fang, Keng, and Rachi communities in the Bachit District of Riyom LGA, which have also suffered similar attacks in recent weeks.
During a stop in one of the affected areas, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Riyom LGA, Rev. Davou Musa, openly criticized security agencies, accusing some officers of shielding the attackers and failing to protect the people.
Governor Mutfwang responded by charging security agencies to perform their constitutional duties and treat all threats to life as acts of terrorism.
“You are not here for peacekeeping. You are here to protect lives and property. Anyone threatening peace is an enemy of the state and must be treated as such,” he said.
The governor's bold statements and direct engagement with affected communities have been widely praised as a sign of leadership and solidarity, offering a glimmer of hope to a region weary from years of violence.
