Plateau killings: Attackers studied residents – Gov Mutfwang

Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, has revealed that attackers in the recent deadly Jos massacre used the community’s sense of security, studying residents’ behaviour and mimicking National Drug Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, operations to strike unexpectedly, leaving both citizens and security forces unprepared.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, while highlighting the circumstances surrounding the incident, he said the attackers had studied local behavioural patterns and disguised themselves to resemble NDLEA operatives, allowing them to inflict significant damage before escaping.

The governor described the incident as “unfortunate and worrisome” but expressed confidence it would be a one-off event.

“As a matter of fact, the community was blindsided. The security personnel were also caught off guard because of the relative peace we have enjoyed, particularly in the last 10 months to one year.

“So nobody envisaged this kind of thing, and people came out in their numbers as they usually do to relax on a Sunday evening,” he said.

“Obviously, the attackers had studied the psychology of the people, who are used to seeing operatives of the NDLEA who come to raid neighbouring communities in search of drug addicts and what have you. So they came in that manner, hooded, and were shooting in the same way NDLEA officers operate.

“People initially assumed it was an NDLEA operation and did not resist, but when they realised what was happening, a lot of damage had already been done. By the time they began to respond, the attackers had already escaped,” he added.

“It’s quite unfortunate. It’s quite worrisome, having such an incident occur in the city centre, but we are confident that by God’s grace this will be a one-off event and not a recurring situation,” he said.