Caleb Mutfwang, governor of Plateau, on Wednesday visited President Bola Tinubu at State House in Abuja to discuss the recent killings in his state.
The meeting comes days after gunmen attacked a bar in the Angwan Rukuba area of Jos North LGA on March 29, leaving at least 28 people dead and several others injured.
The incident triggered widespread outrage and led to the imposition of a 48-hour curfew by the state government.
Although the curfew was partially relaxed on Wednesday, fresh disturbances were reported as hoodlums targeted motorists and commuters, reigniting tension across parts of the city.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Mutfwang said security agencies had since stabilised the situation, noting that coordinated efforts helped restore calm.
“We imposed a curfew, which we relaxed yesterday into this morning. I mean, we relaxed this morning from 8 a.m. to 3 pm, but unfortunately this morning there were some looters who tried to disrupt the peace again,” he said.
“But I’m glad that the security forces working together were able to calm the situation as at 12 noon this afternoon, and so presently the situation is well under control.”
The governor described the attacks as deeply troubling and complex, stressing that authorities are yet to determine those responsible or their motives.
“As the chief security officer of the state, how can you correct this impression, the true picture of what is happening? Well, in a crisis of this nature, you can’t reduce it to one reason.
“It’s a mixture of multiple reasons, and sometimes you can only deduce the actual reasons when you are able to get two groups of people.
“First, the victims, and then the attackers. Unfortunately, we’ve not been able to lay hands on the attackers, yet to know their identities and their motive.
“But of course, the victims would normally speak like you have said, but we are seeing this as an act of criminality. It’s barbaric.”
Mutfwang added that discussions with the President focused on practical steps to strengthen security and prevent further escalation, expressing optimism that more proactive measures would follow.
“What I can assure you is that this has become a decisive turning point that I’m sure going forward we’re going to see more proactive actions.”