Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau has said that security operatives and residents were caught unawares during the Angwan Rukuba deadly attack that left scores of residents dead and others severely injured on Palm Sunday. 

Mr Mutfwang, who stated this during a Channels TV interview on Friday, added residents were also blindsided given the relative peace in the state in the past few months. 

“The community, as a matter of fact was blindsided; the security personnel were also caught off guard because of the relative peace we have enjoyed, particularly in the last 10 months to one year,” the government noted. So nobody envisaged this kind of thing, and people came out in their numbers as they usually do to relax on a Sunday evening.”

Mr Mutfwang, who described the incident as unfortunate, stated the rampaging terrorists seemed to have studied the psychology of the people prior to the attack.

“The attackers had studied the psychology of the people, who are used to seeing operatives of the NDLEA who come to raid neighbouring communities in search of drug addicts and what have you. So they came in that manner, hooded, and were shooting in the same way NDLEA officers operate.

“People initially assumed it was an NDLEA operation and did not resist, but when they realised what was happening, a lot of damage had already been done. By the time they began to respond, the attackers had already escaped,” he added. 

The governor, however, expressed optimism that such an unfortunate incident would never occur in the state again. 

Mr Mutfwang added, “It’s quite worrisome and unfortunate to have such an incident occur in the city centre, but we are confident that by God’s grace this will be a one-off event and not a recurring situation.”

Over 30 people were killed in the deadly attack, drawing widespread condemnation both within and outside the country. 

President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, visited the state to commiserate with bereaved families and assure victims of his administration’s support and efforts curtail reoccurrence.

Meanwhile, opposition figures, including Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, criticised the visit and the president’s failure to visit affected communities, accusing him of running an irresponsible, absent and unresponsive government.