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From Ismail Omipidan, Abuja
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has said that his administration would do everything within its powers, in collaboration with the Federal Government to nip the security challenge on the Plateau in the bud.
While revealing that significant progress has been made to ensure that the state is not defined by insecurity, the governor noted that the greatest achievement of the administration so far, was the restoration of trust between the government and the Plateau citizens. He spoke on other issues of interest.
Excerpts:
You have spent two years so far as governor, how has it been?
So far, so good. We went to work as soon as we came in. Step by step, reform by reform, project by project, we are setting Plateau State on the path of recovery and renewal. In just two years, the results are evident. Salaries that once came late now arrive promptly. Infrastructure once abandoned is being revived. Roads are being constructed, schools rehabilitated, hospitals upgraded, and clean water supplied to communities long neglected. Declaring 2025 as the Year of Infrastructure was not mere symbolism, it was a statement of intent, backed by action.
Even in the face of adversity, such as the tragic attacks on communities in Bokkos and Bassa, we remained unshaken in our commitment to rebuilding Plateau and restoring dignity to our people. We are grateful to God that our efforts are being recognised by many, including the media, which is a testament to the impact of our people-centered governance.
On assumption of office on May 29, 2023, the Ministry of Transport was in a state of severe deterioration due to years of neglect. The transportation infrastructure across the state—road, air, and rail—had virtually collapsed, contributing significantly to Plateau State’s economic downturn. To boost the state’s economy and to attract investors to harness its vast potential, we quickly implemented a comprehensive transportation revival strategy across multiple domains, touching Air transportation development, rail transportation, water transportation, among others. We signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ValueJet Aviation Limited to develop critical air routes- Abuja-Jos Route and Lagos-Jos Routes. This agreement has drastically reduced travel time between Jos and major cities; established daily flights on the Lagos-Jos route, and broke the monopoly on ticket pricing, making air travel more affordable.
We recognised the economic potential of rail transport; so, we brokered a landmark agreement with the Nigerian Railway Corporation to rejuvenate the dormant rail transport system. This initiative was strategically timed to mitigate the harsh impact of fuel subsidy removal on residents. The revitalised train service connecting Jos terminal to Kuru has been successfully tested and is expected to stimulate economic activity through new investments; strengthen commerce and enhance tourism, create numerous employment opportunities across construction, rail operations, engineering, and customer service sectors, decongest busy roadways, and facilitate easier movement of agricultural produce from villages to the Yakubu Gowon Airport. This development serves as a precursor to the planned expansion of rail lines across various regions of the state, which will further enhance the movement of goods and passengers.
Like you witnessed earlier on your arrival, we have just commissioned the Metro Buses 2.0 at the Old Government House, Rayfield; the Utonkon Bridge and adjoining roads at the Utonkon–Abattoir Road; and a one-storey administrative block and refurbished Joshua Dariye Hall at the Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi, Jos Campus.
It will interest to know that the Plateau Express Service had suffered years of neglect, before we brought it back to live again. These Metro buses were not federal gifts or grants. They were bought brand new, not Tokunbo, using Plateau State’s constitutional allocation, managed prudently for the good of our people. The investment in mass transit directly responds to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s call for state governments to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal and the Tin City Metro is one of the most effective mechanisms adopted by our administration to cushion the effects on the people. By our intervention, a return trip that ordinarily should cost N2, 400, now cost N400. If that is multiplied by say 25 days, our people would have saved about N50, 000. This is our own unique conditional cash transfer module.
Instead of buying luxury vehicles for ministries and MDAs, we prioritised the people. With these buses, we are bringing the subsidy back to the masses. The applause and dancing I saw when these buses entered the city gave me renewed energy. We are just getting started.
With 15 buses launched last year and another 15 this year, the Tin City Metro now transports over 9,000 commuters daily, with plans to scale up to 18,000–20,000 as Phase 2.0 takes full effect. This is not the end, we are planning Tin City Metro 3.0. We are reviving more than transportation; we are restoring Plateau’s pride. Change is about leadership. With the right leadership in place, transformation is possible.
How do you feel each time you read about the issue of insecurity in Plateau State?
The security of lives and property is a top priority for our administration in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. But I must say that security remained one of the most daunting challenges our administration inherited upon assumption of office. Even before our inauguration, as governor-elect, terrorists launched deadly attacks on Mangu, Bokkos, and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas, resulting in significant loss of lives.
This prompted our immediate visit—just four days after my swearing-in—to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Riyom, Mangu, and Bokkos. My presence reassured the traumatised women and children, some of whom had lived in neglect for years, restoring hope and affirming my administration’s commitment to alleviating their suffering. The tragic massacre in Mangu LGA on May 15, 2023—where over 100 lives were lost—remains fresh in the minds of Plateau citizens and Nigerians at large. Given that the attack occurred in my home locality, some observers believe it was a calculated attempt to intimidate me and influence my approach to tackling insecurity in the state.
However, acknowledging the root causes of a problem is the first step toward finding sustainable solutions. In that spirit, I engaged directly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who responded positively and pledged the Federal Government’s support. I followed up by visiting the security chiefs, including the Defence and Army Headquarters in Abuja on July 12, 2023, followed by visits to other relevant agencies. These engagements, led to strong commitments to intensifying both kinetic and non-kinetic operations against the perpetrators of the heinous crimes. And we are beginning to see changes. As a government, we would not allow insecurity to define the state. It will interest you to know that Plateau State has remained a choice destination for tourists and visitors alike.
How do you mean?
Let me shock you; there is an upsurge in people coming into the state. A lot of people going to the North- East stop over here. Jos is like a transit city. Hotels in Jos are being overbooked to the point that there are no spaces these days. We will continue to let people know that Plateau State cannot be defined by insecurity. There are lots of good and positive things going on here beyond insecurity.
We know that you are one of the advocates of state police. While Nigerians await the day it would be fully embraced, what other measures is the government taking to strengthen existing security architecture in the state?
As part of the pro-active measures to strengthen the state’s internal security architecture, with the support of the Federal Government, we reactivated Operation Rainbow (a state security outfit). This revitalised agency has undergone restructuring, with over 600 personnel retrained in collaboration with national security agencies. These operatives, who are drawn from all local government areas, are now more responsive and better equipped to tackle grassroots security issues. Their core mandate, include intelligence gathering and the relay of early warning signals to national security forces for timely intervention.
To further boost community engagement, we launched the State Security and Information Centre, featuring a toll-free line through which citizens can report threats or suspicious activities. This allows for swift, coordinated responses to emerging security challenges in rural communities.
In addition, we procured and distributed essential equipment to security agencies. More than 100 motorcycles, raincoats, and rain boots were provided to all security personnel across the state. The State Government through the Local Government Areas purchased 17 new brand Hilux as operational vehicles to ‘Operation Rainbow’. It is worthy to note also that our government repaired about 250 broken down operational vehicles for all security agencies operating in the state to facilitate swift and prompt response to distress calls. And in an effort to enhance intensive surveillance and track movement in and out of the 17 local government areas of the state, we built and equipped with modern technology, a Plateau Special Activities Centre to enhance security of lives and property across the state.
The Centre, headed by Gen. Gagji Shipi (rtd), my Security Adviser, who also doubles as the Coordinator of Operation Rainbow, works closely with heads of security agencies to sustain the peace in our dear state.
