Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has said both residents and security operatives were taken by surprise during the recent deadly attack in Jos, noting that the area had enjoyed nearly a year of relative peace before the incident.
Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television on Friday, Mutfwang said the lull in violence contributed to the unexpected nature of the assault.
“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… nobody envisaged this kind of thing,” he said.
The governor alleged that the attackers studied residents’ movements before striking, adding that they disguised their operation to appear like a raid by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
“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,” he added.
The attack, which occurred on Sunday, March 29, reportedly left at least 28 people dead, including students and staff of the University of Jos. Sporadic violence was also recorded in surrounding communities, heightening tensions in the state capital.
Mutfwang described the incident as “unfortunate and worrisome,” but expressed optimism that it would not become a recurring occurrence, especially as it happened within the city centre.
Following the attack, security agencies reinforced their presence in affected areas, while residents continued to call for sustained intervention to restore calm.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu visited Jos on Thursday to commiserate with victims and their families, promising renewed efforts to end the cycle of violence in Plateau State. He also announced plans to deploy 5,000 AI-enabled surveillance cameras across the city to strengthen intelligence gathering.
The president further invited community leaders to Abuja for continued dialogue on resolving the crisis.
However, his decision to hold meetings at the airport rather than visit affected communities or hospitals drew criticism from residents and opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar, who described the visit as a “choreographed spectacle.”
