Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau has advised the youths to rise and defend their communities against gunmen attacks.

Mr Mutfwang said this on Tuesday when he visited communities in the Kwall District of the Bassa Local Government Area (LGA), recently attacked by gunmen.

“We have come to a point in Nigeria where every community must defend itself. I will not, however, support lawlessness, but we can’t afford to go to sleep,” he said.

Gunmen on Sunday night attacked the Zike and Kimakpa communities of Kwali District, Iregwe Chiefdom of Bassa, killing scores and destroying many houses and other properties.

Mr Mutfwang said the ongoing security challenges in the state have deprived the state of steady growth and development.

The governor disclosed that the state government had made tangible investments in technology to address the state’s current security challenges.

“Insurgency and terrorism have deprived us of the riches of the land; our developmental strides on the Plateau have been slow because of insecurity.

“There is no reason for us to be where we are; our people cannot go to their farms and engage in any economic venture. But as a government, we are doing everything possible to end these circles of attacks and killings,” he said.

The governor, who commiserated with the families who had lost their loved ones, vowed to bring the perpetrators to book.

Mr Mutfwang thanked President Bola Tinubu for his support to the state and called on the security agencies to intensify efforts towards tackling the current security challenges in Plateau.

“You have every reason not to be happy, but I want to assure you that we have taken steps to correct all the lapses of the past.

“As a government, we will support the security agencies towards ensuring that our people are safe.

“But let me remind you that whatever arrangements the security agencies make may not solve the problem; the solution will come from the communities,” the governor said.

(NAN)