Plateau Killings: Attackers Studied Residents’ Behaviour, Mimic NDLEA – Gov Mutfwang
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has revealed that the attackers behind the recent deadly Jos massacre exploited the community’s trust and mimicked National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operations to carry out their strike, leaving residents and security forces unprepared.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, the governor said the assailants had studied local behaviour and disguised themselves to resemble NDLEA operatives, enabling them to inflict serious damage before fleeing.
He described the attack as “unfortunate and worrisome” but expressed confidence it would be an isolated incident.
“The community was blindsided. Security personnel were also caught off guard because of the relative peace we’ve enjoyed over the past 10 months to a year. No one expected such an attack, and people were out in their numbers as usual on a Sunday evening,” Mutfwang said.
““The attackers understood the psychology of the people, who are used to seeing NDLEA officers conducting raids in neighbouring communities.
“They came in hooded, firing in the same manner as NDLEA operatives. Residents initially assumed it was a routine operation and did not resist, but by the time they realised the truth, significant damage had already been done. The attackers had escaped before any response could be mounted.
“It’s unfortunate and worrying for such an incident to happen in the city centre, but by God’s grace, we believe this will be a one-off event and not a recurring problem.”
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
