The executive governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, on Wednesday dismissed insinuations that the state was witnessing an upsurge in violent attacks and killings.
He was reacting to gunman attacks on Tuesday night in the Dafo and Kwata towns of the state’s Bokkos Local Government Area, which killed eight people.
On Tuesday night, gunmen attacked the town and opened fire on innocent residents, murdering eight people in the two impacted towns.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday during a biannual shooting range categorisation exercise held by the 3 Division, Nigerian Army, at its headquarters in Bassa Local Government Area of the state, the governor described the Bokkos event as a “one-off.”
Represented by his Special Adviser on Security and Homeland Safety, Brig Gen Gagji Shippi (retd), the Plateau governor said, “I don’t think there is an upsurge in insecurity in Plateau.
“The killings in Kwatas and Dafo are a one-off occurrence after such a long while. We’ve not had this kind of attack until yesterday, so I would not say there is an upsurge.”
He revealed that an investigation had been launched into the killings.
“We’re looking into it to know what the problem is and proffer solutions and should be able to nip it in the bud before it goes any further,” he said.
According to a statement published on Wednesday by Aliyu Danja, spokesman for the 3 Division, Nigerian Army, the second schedule range classification is a bi-annual exercise done in all Army formations and units for personnel across the country.
“The 3rd Division’s second scheduled range classification exercise is aimed to assess the serviceability of the Nigerian Army arsenal while also testing the effectiveness of personnel’s weapon handling skills and determining war readiness.
“Furthermore, the exercise serves as an avenue for troops to sharpen their marksmanship skills to ensure minimal casualties and waste of ammunition when deployed in battle or internal security operations.
“Also, the range classification exercise serves as an avenue of fostering mutual and cordial inter-agency relationships with sister security agencies through novelty shooting exercises where heads of security agencies, government functionaries, as well as traditional rulers, retired senior officers, corps members, and members of the media will take part in the exercise.
“The participation of security agencies and other guests is desirable as it strengthens collaboration between security organisations on the Plateau.
“The inclusion of traditional rulers and civil societies in the shooting exercise was designed to enable them to have a feel of our weapon and also foster cordial civil-military relations and cooperation with the general public and to also have a feel of the military experience,” the statement read.
