Plateau Governor Details Deadly Jos Assault by Bandits in NDLEA Disguise
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has disclosed that armed assailants masquerading as officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) carried out a brutal attack in the Angwan Rukuba area of Jos, resulting in the tragic deaths of 28 individuals and leaving several others injured. The governor made these revelations during an interview on Channel's Politics Today on Friday, April 3, 2026, shedding light on the deceptive tactics employed by the gunmen.
Deceptive Tactics and Community Confusion
According to Governor Mutfwang, the attackers meticulously studied the operational patterns of NDLEA personnel, who frequently conduct raids in communities to apprehend drug addicts. The gunmen exploited this familiarity by arriving hooded and firing sporadically in a manner that mimicked typical NDLEA incursions, leading residents to initially mistake the assault for a legitimate security operation.
"So, they came in that manner, hooded, and were shooting in the manner NDLEA officers used to shoot. So people took it for granted that it was an NDLEA incursion… and they didn’t resist it initially," Mutfwang explained. He added that by the time the community realized the true nature of the attack, significant damage had already been inflicted, and the perpetrators had fled on motorcycles, escaping before any effective pursuit could be mounted.
Security Response and Ongoing Investigations
Despite the severity of the incident, which occurred on Sunday, March 29, 2026, around 7:30 PM, no arrests have been made in connection with this specific attack. Governor Mutfwang lamented this lack of progress but assured Plateau residents and Nigerians at large that security agencies are actively working with actionable intelligence to track down those responsible.
"At the moment, no arrests have been made in regard to this particular attack. But I’d like to assure Plateau people and Nigerians that we have some actionable intelligence that the security agencies are following up on," the governor stated, emphasizing the commitment to bringing the culprits to justice.
Broader Security Context and Presidential Visit
This attack occurs against a backdrop of ongoing security challenges in Plateau State. In a related development, troops of the Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace recently killed three terrorists and apprehended two individuals posing as security operatives in Jos, highlighting the persistent threat of impostors in the region.
Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited the Plateau state capital on Thursday, April 2, 2026, to console victims and express solidarity with the grieving community. During his address, Tinubu acknowledged the profound pain experienced by the affected families and reaffirmed the government's support. However, his visit has drawn mixed reactions, with some Nigerians criticizing it as lacking in genuine empathy amid the ongoing violence.
Governor Mutfwang's revelations underscore the sophisticated and deceptive methods employed by bandits, raising concerns about community safety and the need for enhanced security measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
