Mutfwang Vows to Unmask “Hooded” Killers in Jos Metropolis

Governor Caleb Mutfwang has promised that the perpetrators of the recent deadly assault on Jos will be hunted down and brought to justice. Speaking on Friday, the governor described the attack as a disturbing shift in violence, moving from remote rural fringes into the heart of the state capital. The killers reportedly used deception to infiltrate the Angwan Rukuba community, wearing hoods and mimicking the firing patterns of NDLEA officers. This ruse delayed the residents’ response, allowing the gunmen to inflict heavy casualties before escaping.

The governor revealed that security agencies were already “blindsided” by the sudden breach of nearly a year of relative peace. Beyond the city attack, Mutfwang confirmed a separate ambush in Owase that killed three security personnel on lawful duty. He insisted that the state government has “strong suspicions” regarding the identities of the attackers but will withhold details to avoid jeopardising the hunt. Security forces are reportedly more motivated than ever to resolve the case, viewing the urban incursion as a professional embarrassment.

In a direct appeal for calm during the Easter period, Mutfwang urged residents to resist the temptation of reprisal killings. He warned that the ultimate goal of the attackers is to “set the state ablaze” and reverse two years of peacebuilding. To prevent a descent into anarchy, the government has begun a crackdown on “social media anarchists” accused of inciting ethnic and religious hostility. One such individual is already in custody and will face prosecution immediately after the holidays.

The governor also addressed a burgeoning humanitarian crisis by coordinating with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to deliver relief. While acknowledging that palliatives cannot replace lost lives, he pledged that the state would support grieving families, including a mother who lost her only son. He dismissed social media reports suggesting he avoided the scene of the carnage, clarifying that he overrode security protocols to address the crowd directly. Direct engagement, he argued, is the only way to reassure a traumatised populace.

Efforts to de-escalate tensions are now being led by the Plateau Youth Council, which has initiated rare cross-religious dialogues. Mutfwang noted that older residents, fatigued by decades of conflict, are generally more committed to peace than the “reckless” younger generation. He stressed that the current incident is being treated as an act of raw criminality rather than a religious war. However, he promised that if investigations reveal a broader ethnic agenda, the government will make those findings public.

The state’s long-term strategy involves strengthening local intelligence to ensure this urban raid remains a “one-off event.” Mutfwang remained defiant, stating that anyone hoping to dislodge Plateau residents through such terror is “living in a pipe dream.” For now, the heavy presence of police and military units remains the only guarantee of a quiet Easter. Justice, the governor concluded, will not be swept under the carpet.