Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has pledged to step up security operations across the state, promising to ensure that displaced residents return to their ancestral homes.
He said his administration would not surrender any part of the state to insecurity, stressing that protecting communities remained a major priority.
Mutfwang spoke on Monday in Jos while inaugurating the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections. He also urged party members to intensify mobilisation at the grassroots ahead of the polls.
The governor disclosed that his administration was preparing to deploy more security personnel, including 800 trained forest guards within four weeks. He also announced that a fresh batch of retrained Operation Rainbow operatives would be commissioned the following week.
‘If the people of Plateau knew the magnitude of the damage planned against our state, they would appreciate that only God’s intervention and our strategic efforts have helped us thus far.
‘One thing I have committed myself to is that I will ensure the protection of every inch of land in Plateau State.
‘Very soon, we are going to be taking practical steps to facilitate the return of internally displaced persons back to their communities,’ he said.
He added: ‘One of the things we have waited for is to get more boots on ground and, by the grace of God, next week we are going to commission a new batch of retrained Operation Rainbow operatives.
‘And in another four weeks, we are going to also release at least 800 trained forest guards. We are determined to ensure that our people return to their ancestral homes.’
Mutfwang commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting efforts to tackle insecurity and improve Nigerians’ welfare, while appealing to Plateau residents to remain patient as his government pursued lasting peace.
‘And so, all we are asking Plateau people is, trust us, be patient with us, and by the grace of God, you will not regret it,’ he said.
Turning to the 2027 elections, the governor said the APC would seek another mandate to enable his administration to complete ongoing projects and consolidate its development programmes.
‘We are going to the nooks and crannies of Plateau State to solicit their endorsement and approval for a second time in office because the many things we have begun must not be aborted.
‘We must ensure that we bring things to a very glorious height,’ he said.
He described governance as a relay race in which successive administrations must build on the achievements of their predecessors.
‘We can collectively make Plateau State better. This is our desire, and by the grace of God, we are determined that we will leave Plateau State better than we met it in every sense of the word,’ he added.
The governor also declared his support for Tinubu’s re-election, expressing confidence that Plateau voters would give the President another mandate and return him for a second term.
‘We are talking about a unification movement, that Plateau people have decided in 2027 to go one direction.
‘And we have chosen that the wings on which we have chosen to fly in 2027 are the wings of the APC.
‘I am confident that come January 16, 2027, by the grace of God, Plateau State will return President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with a resounding victory. And that two weeks later, the people of Plateau will renew their mandate for us to continue on the good journey we have started,’ he said.
Mutfwang urged APC candidates and campaign council members to promote unity and mobilise voters across their respective constituencies, warning against actions that could create divisions within the party.
Earlier, the state APC Chairman, Rufus Bature, commended members of the campaign council for accepting to serve and urged them to ensure peaceful, issue-based campaigns.
‘We have no reason to be courtiers of violence. We are known for peace and we will continue on that trajectory.
‘Let’s travel together. We’ll do all we can to make sure that the campaign is seamless and flawless,’ he said.