Former Plateau Governorship Aspirant Blasts Gov. Mutfwang Over Insecurity, Deserted Communities
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
A former governorship aspirant in Plateau State, Brig. Gen. John Sura (Rtd), has taken a swipe at Governor Caleb Mutfwang over what he described as the governor’s failure to address the escalating insecurity and incessant killings ravaging the state.
Akahi News gathered from Daily Post that Gen. Sura, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), accused the governor of abandoning governance for political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 elections while displaced citizens continue to suffer neglect.
Over 96 Communities Deserted Amid Attacks
In a strongly worded statement, the retired military officer lamented that over 96 communities across three local government areas have been deserted in the past two years due to relentless attacks by insurgents and armed militias.
Specifically, Gen. Sura disclosed that:
- 46 villages in Mangu Local Government Area have been completely deserted;
- 50 villages in Bokkos Local Government Area have been sacked by marauding Fulani militias;
- Over 2,400 households in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area have been displaced and forced to relocate to urban centres for safety.
“In Mangu alone, we have about 46 villages where nobody is living today because they were chased out. In Bokkos, we have close to 50 villages deserted. In Barkin Ladi, we are talking about close to 2,400 households affected,” Sura stated.
“Government Report Gathering Dust”
Gen. Sura, who served as General Secretary of the State Resettlement Task Force on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), revealed that the committee he was part of compiled a comprehensive report with recommendations to address the crisis.
However, he expressed disappointment that the Plateau State Government has failed to implement the proposals more than a year after they were submitted.
“The final report was ready since last year, but because of lack of seriousness from the government, they did not treat it urgently. It was only sometimes in February this year that the report was placed, and since then it has been gathering dust in the cupboard,” he lamented.
According to him, the report had identified partially deserted villages where residents fled out of fear of imminent attacks, yet the state government failed to act, leaving communities vulnerable.
Calls for Political Will and Urgent Action
Gen. Sura blamed the lack of political will for the government’s inaction, noting that the situation in Plateau State requires urgent intervention to prevent further loss of lives and property.
He argued that Governor Mutfwang must prioritise security and the welfare of displaced persons rather than focusing on political calculations for the next election cycle.
Rising Tensions in Plateau State
Observers believe the criticisms from Gen. Sura reflect a growing frustration among citizens and stakeholders over the state government’s handling of the crisis, especially with thousands of internally displaced persons now crowding urban centres without adequate support.
As of press time, Governor Caleb Mutfwang has not issued an official response to the retired general’s allegations or addressed the fate of the long-awaited security report.
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