Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has summoned the State Security Council for an urgent review of the recent attacks across the state, as security agencies intensify efforts to prevent further killings and bring those behind the violence to justice.
The meeting was held on Wednesday at the New Government House in Little Rayfield, Jos, amid renewed concerns over attacks on communities and security personnel in different parts of Plateau State.
The council brought together the Deputy Governor, heads of security and law enforcement agencies, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, and other senior government officials.
Discussions centred on recent security incidents, emerging threats and the need to improve the state’s response.
Intelligence gathering and sharing, preventive operations, cooperation among security agencies and the protection of lives, property and economic activities were also considered.
The meeting came shortly after a series of deadly incidents, including the attack in Mangu Local Government Area that left dozens of residents dead.
The Plateau State Government had earlier condemned the August attack on Bin Mper community in Kombun District, Mangu LGA, and directed security agencies to increase surveillance and patrols in vulnerable communities.
Speaking after Wednesday’s security meeting, the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Ayodeji Faniyan, explained that Governor Mutfwang regularly brings security chiefs together to assess developments and identify areas requiring stronger action.
He said the latest meeting was necessary because of the recent security breaches recorded in the state.
“Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang is the Chief Security Officer of the State, and once in a while, we review the security situation. We assess the security situation in order to take steps to improve on what we already have,” Faniyan said.
The police commissioner also addressed the Mangu incident, admitting that the attack occurred despite preparations and deployment by security personnel.
“The Mangu case was very unfortunate. We prepared and deployed, but somehow, such incidents still occurred. That is part of why His Excellency called this meeting so that such incidents must not happen again,” he said.
Police Confirm Arrests
Faniyan disclosed that security agencies had already arrested some suspects in connection with major attacks recorded in Plateau within the past month.
He said the investigation had not been concluded, stressing that other individuals believed to be involved were still being pursued.
According to him, the investigation is being conducted jointly with other security agencies at both the state and national levels.
“We have some arrests; investigation is ongoing. We are not investigating in isolation. We are collaborating with all the other agencies up to the national level. We are still going after some suspects, and we are doing a lot of technological analysis,” Faniyan said.
The commissioner said the use of technology would support efforts to analyse available intelligence and trace those suspected to have participated in the attacks.
He also called on residents to provide credible information about suspicious persons, movements and activities in their communities.
Mangu Attack
The security council meeting followed the deadly attack recorded in Mangu earlier in August.
The attack on communities in the area caused widespread concern, with reports putting the number of people killed at more than 20.
The violence also forced residents to flee their homes, while houses and other property were destroyed.
The incident renewed concerns about the ability of security agencies to protect vulnerable communities, particularly areas that have experienced violence in the past.
The state government subsequently urged residents to remain calm and avoid reprisals while security agencies worked to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack and pursue those responsible.
Plateau has also continued to face security challenges in other parts of the state.
In Riyom Local Government Area, suspected gunmen reportedly attacked Tanjol and Tarai communities in Jol District on August 30.
Two security operatives were killed during the incident, while their rifles were reportedly taken away.
Mutfwang Pushes Regional Security Cooperation
The latest meeting also comes days after Mutfwang participated in the 2026 North-Central Security Summit in Makurdi, Benue State.
At the August 31 summit, the governor called for a coordinated approach to insecurity across the North-Central region.
He argued that states could no longer rely solely on individual responses because criminal movements and security threats often cross state boundaries.
Mutfwang said the region needed stronger intelligence sharing and joint operations among states and security agencies.
He also disputed the tendency to describe every attack in Plateau as a farmer-herder clash, saying some attackers were believed to come from outside the state.
The governor’s position at the summit further highlighted the need for cooperation between Plateau and neighbouring states to identify movements of armed groups before they reach vulnerable communities.
President Bola Tinubu, represented at the summit by Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, also called for stronger cooperation between governments, security agencies, traditional institutions and communities.
The President said military operations alone would not be enough to achieve lasting peace in the region.
Security Agencies Receive Fresh Directives
Following Wednesday’s meeting, the police said security agencies had received fresh instructions to strengthen preventive operations across Plateau.
Faniyan said the focus would be on gathering useful intelligence, improving cooperation between agencies and acting before threats develop into full-scale attacks.
He assured residents that security personnel would continue efforts to protect communities and prevent criminal elements from undermining peace in the state.
The commissioner further urged residents not to keep information about suspicious activities to themselves, stressing that timely reports could assist security agencies in responding before an attack occurs.
