Jos Plateau
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang stood atop an armored tank carrier (ATC) in Jos to address victims and bereaved families following the tragic Palm Sunday attacks.
An action that drew criticisms as the citizens questioned what looked like a leader hiding behind steel. But according to the Governor, the view from the ground and the view from the tank was entirely different.
Speaking recently on Channels Television, Mutfwang broke his silence on the optics of that day, explaining that the decision wasn’t born out of fear, but out of a practical need for visibility and security protocols.
Why the Tank? Visibility Over Vulnerability
While critics suggested the Governor was shielding himself from his own people, Mutfwang clarified that the elevated position was actually a tool for communication.
- The “Lighthouse” Effect: “From the height I stood, part of the reason they put me in the ATC was for me to gain height in order to address the crowd,” he explained. In a sea of grieving and agitated residents, being seen was just as important as being heard.
- Safety vs. Protocol: Despite his own comfort level with the crowd, Mutfwang acknowledged that his security detail had a job to do. While he felt safe, the volatile atmosphere required the professionals to take standard precautions.
The Social Media Spin vs. Reality
Mutfwang didn’t hold back on his frustration with how the incident was portrayed online. He argued that selective editing—a common “mischief” in the digital age—ignored the hours he spent on foot among the people.
“Why are people not focusing on where I spent 90 per cent of the time with the crowd… appealing to people and calming them?”
He described a scene of cooperation rather than hostility, noting that residents were actually beckoning him closer, assuring him, “come, come… there is no harm.”
The Race Back to Jos
The Governor also shared the behind-the-scenes scramble that followed the news of the attack. At the time, he was in Abuja for high-level security consultations following the APC National Convention.
- Immediate Response: By 7:00 AM the next morning, he was on a flight back home.
- The People’s Demand: Mutfwang revealed that he headed straight to the scene because the residents had reached a standoff with authorities. They refused to allow the evacuation of victims’ remains until their Governor arrived to stand with them.
A Vow of Loyalty
Closing his remarks, Mutfwang doubled down on his commitment to the state. He thanked the people of Plateau for their “trust and confidence,” promising that he would never betray the mandate to protect and lead them, even in the darkest of times.
