Caleb Mutfwang, Plateau state governor has defended his use of an armoured personnel carrier during a visit to Angwan Rukuba, insisting the decision was based on security advice and not fear.
Recall that the governor visited the community in Jos North Local Government Area following a deadly attack that left about 28 people dead and several others injured.
His arrival, marked by a heavy security presence, drew criticism after videos circulated online showing him addressing residents from atop the armoured vehicle.
Speaking on Channels Television on Friday , Mutfwang dismissed the backlash, describing it as a misrepresentation of events.
“The security personnel have a duty to protect me, and if they assess that the situation they perceived was hostile, they had a duty to protect me,” he said.
He explained that he had rushed back from Abuja upon receiving news of the attack, noting that residents had insisted on his presence before allowing the evacuation of victims.
“Unless they see the governor, they are not going to allow those corpses to be evacuated,” he stated.
Mutfwang added that, despite security concerns, he was determined to visit the scene. “I could have stayed back until the whole thing had calmed down, but I insisted on going to the scene,” he said.
Clarifying his position on the vehicle, the governor said standing through the roof hatch enabled him to address the crowd effectively. “From the height I stood… it was for me to gain height in order to address the crowd,” he noted.
He further criticised what he described as selective narratives on social media, arguing that most of his engagement with residents had been overlooked.
“If not for mischief, why are people not focusing on where I spent 90 per cent of the time with the crowd… calming people?” he queried.
The governor maintained that he felt safe among the residents, adding, “I was comfortable with the people. I knew the people were not going to harm me, but the security had to do their assessment.”