‘They Threaten Our Sovereignty’: Mutfwang Charges Military to Treat Terrorists as Enemies of State
JOS — Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has issued a direct charge to the Nigerian Armed Forces to strip away any leniency in their operations, declaring that terrorists must be treated strictly as “enemies of the state” who are actively threatening the nation’s sovereignty.
Governor Mutfwang made the declaration on Tuesday at the New Government House in Little Rayfield, Jos, while hosting the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, who was on an operational tour of military formations in the state.
The Governor’s comments come as a firm directive to the military hierarchy to avoid downplaying the severity of the offenses committed by insurgents, bandits, and criminal elements terrorizing the Middle Belt region.
“Deal With Them As Such”
Addressing the Army Chief, Mutfwang insisted that the time for ambiguity is over. He argued that the perpetrators of violence in Plateau and across Nigeria have declared war on the country and must face the full might of the state’s military apparatus.
“I have said it times without number that insurgents and terrorists must be seen as enemies of the state who are threatening the sovereignty of our country,” Mutfwang stated emphatically. “We must deal with them as such. We cannot afford to handle them with kid gloves while they slaughter our people.”
The Governor advised the military high command to classify these criminals appropriately, ensuring that their rules of engagement reflect the gravity of the threat they pose to national survival.
A Peaceful Yuletide
Despite the stern charge, Mutfwang commended the Army for its recent performance. He noted that unlike previous years marred by “Black Christmas” attacks, the 2025 festive season in Plateau was relatively peaceful due to the military’s heightened vigilance.
“Your presence has afforded many communities the opportunity to sleep with their two eyes closed,” he told the COAS. “We recorded one of the most peaceful festive seasons in recent times, even when intelligence reports suggested otherwise. This shows that when the military is determined, safety is possible.”
He specifically praised the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division, Maj.-Gen. Folunsho Oyinlola, for coordinating effective security covers during the holidays.
COAS Pledges “Safer Plateau”
In his response, Lt.-Gen. Shuaibu acknowledged the governor’s support and vowed that the Army would not relent until total peace returns to the Plateau.
“The security challenges on the Plateau are surmountable,” the Army Chief assured. “With all hands on deck, we will achieve our mandate. I want to assure you that on our part, we will do our best to ensure that we mitigate these threats as much as possible.”
The COAS confirmed that his visit was aimed at assessing the operational readiness of troops and boosting their morale to sustain the current gains against criminal elements.