Caleb Mutfwang, the governor of Plateau State, has warned that unless urgent action is made to stop the ongoing violence that is taking lives in the state, Nigeria may descend into a condition akin to war-torn Somalia.
The governor, who expressed great concern about the ongoing cycle of violence, urged influential figures to work together to address the underlying issues and offer workable answers.
In a conversation with Yakubu Dogara, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Governor Mutfwang issued this warning.
Dogara led a delegation comprising current and former House members on a condolence visit to the governor on Saturday in Jos following the tragic massacre of over 200 people in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi local government areas.
He said, “It is unfortunate that this cycle has continued for years. We are praying that, as a nation, we will get it right so that we toe the path of justice and don’t allow people to slip into self-help because once we allow the people to go into self-help, we will become another Somalia.
I think I can, with all boldness, say that I see a desire for a shift with the current president. I see a desire to change the narratives, rewrite the story and get things right. I have interacted with him a couple of times, and I think he carries a burden to end this violence.
What we need is a mass of critical leaders to rally round him to be able to expand his scope so that he understands the root and immediate causes of these problems and to proffer solutions.”
Mutfwang said further: “There is an economy that has been built around this insecurity. We need to know who the financiers are and who paid for the hundreds of AK-47 rifles. Where did they get them from?”
The governor reaffirmed his dedication to partnering with the Federal Government to bring an end to the decades-long attacks in Plateau.
He thanked the former Speaker for consistently standing with Plateau State and encouraged him not to remain silent but to continue advocating for the people’s interests.
