Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has vehemently defended his use of an armoured personnel carrier (APC) during a critical visit to Angwan Rukuba in Jos North, following a devastating attack that claimed approximately 28 lives. The governor's arrival with a significant security detail, including the armoured vehicle from which he initially addressed residents, sparked considerable criticism and claims of fear on social media. Mutfwang, however, rejected this interpretation, asserting during a television interview that the decision was guided strictly by security protocol, not personal apprehension.

Governor Mutfwang elaborated that security personnel have a paramount duty to protect him, and their assessment of a hostile situation necessitated the protective measure. He explained that he was in Abuja for official engagements when he received news of the attack and immediately returned to the state. Upon arrival, tensions were extremely high, with grieving residents refusing to allow the evacuation of victims' bodies until the governor himself was present. Despite security operatives advising caution due to the volatile environment, Mutfwang insisted on going directly to the scene. He further clarified that addressing the crowd from the roof hatch of the armoured vehicle was a practical decision to gain height and effectively communicate with the large gathering. Mutfwang strongly criticized the selective portrayal of his visit online, arguing that only a small, misrepresented portion of his engagement with residents was shared, ignoring the 90 percent of his time spent appealing to and calming the distraught community.

The incident surrounding the governor's visit unfolds against a backdrop of escalating insecurity in Jos. Fear and uncertainty have gripped the city following the alleged brutal killing of Jeremy, a University of Jos graduate, whose grieving sister has issued an emotional plea for justice online. She lamented what she described as a systemic failure and pointed to suspicious communications prior to her brother's death, vowing that those responsible must face accountability. Meanwhile, students of the University of Jos and other residents are raising alarms over the increasing violence and threats to lives, with some students reportedly trapped within the campus and nearby hostels. Urgent calls for intervention have been directed at security agencies and high-ranking authorities, including the President and the Inspector-General of Police.

The University of Jos Alumni Association, through its Global President, Gad Peter Shamaki, issued a statement expressing deep concern over the rising tensions affecting students, staff, and residents. The association called for the immediate deployment of enhanced security across campuses, hostels, and surrounding communities, stressing the need for round-the-clock patrols, intelligence-led surveillance, and rapid response measures. Local reports detail distress calls from students, highlighting alleged provocations by suspected hoodlums in hostel areas. These developments follow recent violent incidents in parts of Jos North, including an attack on a church in Anguwan Rukuba, where properties were damaged and residents forced to flee amidst gunfire, leading to widespread criticism of delayed security responses and inadequate protection.

In a related political development, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has heavily criticized President Bola Tinubu's handling of the recent killings in Plateau State, denouncing his response as