Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has defended his decision to use an armoured personnel carrier during his visit to Angwan Rukuba in Jos North Local Government Area following a recent attack on the community.
The governor visited the area after suspected bandits killed about 28 residents and injured several others, sparking tension among locals.
His arrival with heavy security presence, including an armoured vehicle, drew widespread reactions on social media after clips from the visit went viral.
Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television, Mutfwang dismissed claims that he acted out of fear, insisting that his actions were guided by security advice.
He explained that he had been in Abuja for official engagements when he received news of the attack and immediately returned to Plateau State.
According to him, residents had refused to allow the evacuation of victims’ bodies until he arrived at the scene.
“The security personnel have a duty to protect me, and based on their assessment, they considered the situation potentially hostile,” he said.
Despite the risks, the governor said he insisted on visiting the community rather than waiting for tensions to subside.
He also clarified that standing through the roof hatch of the armoured vehicle was to enable him to address the crowd effectively.
“It was to gain height so I could speak to the people,” he explained, adding that residents later reassured him of his safety and encouraged him to come closer.
Mutfwang criticised what he described as a misrepresentation of the incident on social media, noting that only a small portion of the visit was highlighted.
“If not for mischief, why focus on that moment and ignore the time I spent with the people, calming them and seeing the victims?” he said.
He maintained that he felt safe among the residents but emphasised that security operatives were obligated to take precautionary measures.
The incident has continued to generate debate on leadership response and public perception in times of crisis.
