THE PLATEAU SECURITY CHALLENGE

 Mutfwang is on the right path, reckons

 YAKUBU DATI

Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s visit to Angwan Rukuba, immediately after the community was attacked by armed men has served to calm frayed nerves and dispel narratives that the government is indifferent to the plight of the people.

It also implies three things: The first is that the Governor does not take issues of securing the lives and property of his people lightly; secondly, that he is prepared to hear from the affected communities on a first- hand basis and the third is that he is ready to confront the situation frontally without budging.

There have been recurring security challenges in Plateau State and various approaches and strategies have been deployed to resolve them as well as bringing the perpetrators to book.

Building on that, Governor Mutfwang has decided to take the more difficult path of taking the bull by the horns by going to the communities and hearing from them when tensions are high and in the process establish and sustain a direct link with them.

This is tantamount to carving out a leadership identity shaped by resilience, visibility, and courage. 

At a time when many would have retreated behind bureaucracy or rhetoric, send third-party delegations and engage in blame game, Mutfwang has chosen to stand up tall in the face of crisis.

He was at the door steps of the people, listened to their cries, saw their wounds; empathized with them and sent a strong message to those behind the heinous crime.

The message to the victims is that the government shares in their grief while to the perpetrators, it means that such actions would no longer be tolerated.

On the surface, Plateau’s history of communal tensions and violent disruptions appears to present no easy terrain for governance as each incident tests not only the capacity of security agencies but also the emotional strength of leadership.

In such a situation, hesitation can deepen fear. Fortunately, Mutfwang seems to understand this as his responses have consistently leaned toward applying the right approach at every given time, rather than withdrawal.

One of the defining features of his approach has been his physical and political presence. By visiting affected communities and speaking directly to citizens, he reinforces a simple but powerful message: the government is with the people.

This visibility becomes a stabilizing force, countering narratives of neglect and reassuring residents that their plight is neither ignored nor forgotten in times of crisis.

Equally significant is his measured but firm tone. Mutfwang has avoided inflammatory rhetoric, opting instead for calls to unity, restraint, and justice. 

This balance is critical in a state where words can either calm tensions or inflame them. His communication reflects an understanding that leadership in crisis is as much about what is said as how it is said.

Beyond symbolism, there is a deliberate effort to strengthen collaboration with other tiers of government and agencies recognizing that security is multi-layered issue.

Hence, Mutfwang has worked to align state actions with federal security structures while engaging traditional and community leaders. This inclusive approach enables a broader strategy—one that acknowledges that sustainable peace cannot be imposed but must be collectively built.

Of course, courage alone is not the only path towards ensuring peace. The Governor understands that,and that is why he is putting in place the structures that would lead to the final destination.

He has for instance allowed the third tier arm of government, which is closer to the people, to thrive under democratic institutions which has reduced tensions and unnecessary bickering in crisis-prone areas.

He has also sent reports to the federal government as acknowledged by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who commended the Governor for rising to the occasion.

Naturally when results are seen, the people, who expect to see further improvements demand for faster and more visible outcomes since they know that there’s the political will and courage to apply the right solutions by the leadership.

These pressures are valid and necessary in a democratic setting.

However, people must understand that leadership must first establish direction before it delivers transformation. 

In choosing to confront crisis with openness, empathy, and resolve, Mutfwang has set a tone that contrasts sharply with avoidance or indifference. His stance may not yet have solved all Plateau’s deep-rooted issues, but it has redefined the posture of leadership in difficult times.

In moments of instability, citizens look not just for answers, but for assurance. And in this regard, Governor Mutfwang’s courageous stand offers something essential: even amid uncertainty, leadership is present, engaged, and unwilling to yield.

Sustainable peace in Plateau depends on courageous leadership, active engagement with communities, and long-term strategies that combine security, empathy, and cohesion to break the cycle of violence.

Governor Mutfwang must not relent, he has started on a good note and hopefully, his administration would bring the much desired lasting peace to the state.

 Dati is a former Commissioner in Plateau State