Nigeria: Mutfwang Pushes for Regional Strategy to Tackle Insecurity

What the report says

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang used a North Central security summit in Makurdi, Benue State, to urge a coordinated regional response to rising insecurity across the region. Speaking on Monday at the 2026 North Central Security Summit, he said states should move beyond isolated actions and work with security agencies on a shared, intelligence-led strategy.

According to the report carried by Vanguard and distributed by AllAfrica, Mutfwang warned that repeated attacks on communities should not be treated as routine local disputes. He argued that the pattern of violence suggests a more organized threat, and said the attacks have displaced vulnerable residents, disrupted livelihoods and slowed development. He also noted that some displaced people in Plateau State have not yet been able to return home because conditions remain unsafe.

The governor called for better intelligence gathering, stronger cooperation among North Central states, and closer coordination with neighbouring states and security forces to block routes used by armed groups. He said security agencies should do more than react after attacks and should trace attackers to their sources and movement corridors. The summit was organised by Nigeria’s Ministry of Defence with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement for the North Central zone.

Defence Minister Christopher Musa, who also spoke at the event, said the gathering was meant to help officials hear directly from communities and develop practical responses. He reaffirmed federal commitment to improving security and protecting farming and other economic activity in the region.