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Governor Caleb Mutfwang has explained why he addressed a tense crowd from an armoured personnel carrier following the deadly Palm Sunday attack in Jos.
Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television, the governor said the decision was based on security advice and the need to effectively communicate during a volatile situation.
“From the height I stood, part of the reason they put me in the APC was for me to gain height in order to address the crowd,” he said.
The incident had sparked speculation online about his safety, but Mutfwang dismissed claims that he was under threat, maintaining that his interaction with residents was largely peaceful.
“As I addressed the crowd and they were comfortable that I had arrived… they were saying, ‘come, come,’ assuring me that I could come and that there was no harm,” he noted, adding that security personnel later allowed him to move closer to the people.
He criticised the role of social media in shaping public perception, saying short video clips misrepresented the situation.
“If not for mischief, why are people not focusing on where I spent 90 per cent of the time with the crowd… calming people?” he said.
The governor stressed that while he felt safe among residents, security operatives had a duty to remain cautious.
Mutfwang also revealed he had been in Abuja attending official engagements, including the APC National Convention and high-level security consultations, when news of the attack broke.
He said he immediately arranged to return to Plateau, with the presidential air fleet providing a plane early the next morning. According to him, he intended to head straight to the scene after learning that residents insisted on seeing him before allowing the evacuation of victims’ bodies.
Upon arrival, however, security concerns were heightened by the presence of individuals suspected of attempting to incite unrest. He noted that some people initially mistook the attackers for operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, which regularly conducts raids in the area.
Despite the risks, the governor said he insisted on being physically present, emphasising the importance of leadership during crises.
“I could have stayed back until the whole thing had calmed down, but I insisted on going to the scene,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation to residents for their trust, reaffirming his commitment to stand with them during difficult times.
