Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has issued a tearful and heartfelt apology to residents of Bassa Local Government Area following a brutal attack by armed bandits that claimed over 50 lives in the Zikke community on April 14, 2025.
During a somber visit to the grief-stricken area, Governor Mutfwang expressed deep sorrow and frustration. “I have been crying since yesterday,” he said, visibly emotional. “I had trusted God that all the arrangements we put in place would prevent this. We have invested in security, but like all human efforts, sometimes they fail. I want to admit that from Sunday night to Monday morning, we failed you. Please, forgive me.”
The tragedy is the second major massacre in Plateau within two weeks. On April 3, about 52 residents were killed in a similar attack in Bokkos Local Government Area. The governor has since acknowledged the growing insecurity across the state, revealing that over 64 communities have been overtaken by bandits—many of whom have renamed and resettled in these areas.
In a bid to address the worsening violence, Mutfwang convened an expanded Security Council meeting on the same day as the Bassa attack, bringing together security agencies and local government leaders to strategize a new approach to peacekeeping.
He called on citizens to support security efforts by sharing timely and accurate intelligence. “Without credible information, our ability to respond is limited,” he emphasized.
Governor Mutfwang’s candid admission of failure and renewed commitment to tackling insecurity has struck a chord with many, highlighting both the scale of the crisis and the urgent need for coordinated action to restore safety to Plateau communities.
