Governor Mutfwang Defends Standing on Armoured Tank During Jos Massacre Visit; Blasts Social Media ‘Mischief’ Over Viral Condolence Photos

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has “flipped the script” on critics who slammed his decision to address grieving residents from the roof of an armoured tank. In a candid interview on Friday, April 3, 2026, the Governor provided a practical “Solution” to the mystery behind the viral photos, insisting the move was purely about logistics and visibility, not a display of power or fear.

The Governor’s visit to Angwan Rukuba the site of a Sunday night attack that left 28 dead became a flashpoint for debate after images showed him standing through the hatch of a bulletproof military vehicle while surrounded by traumatized citizens. Critics, including prominent activists, argued that the “optics” sent a message of a leader shielded from the very insecurity his people face. However, Mutfwang pushed back, explaining that “part of the reason they put me in the vehicle was for me to gain height in order to address the crowd” so that everyone could see and hear his message of calm.

“If not for mischief, why are people not focusing on the 90% of the time I spent on the ground with the crowd, seeing the corpses and appealing to people?” the Governor asked. He maintained that he felt perfectly safe among his people and that the residents were actually shouting for him to “come closer,” showing they were comfortable with his presence. He accused social media commentators of taking a “small portion” of the visit to misrepresent his entire mission of empathy.

As the 30-day countdown to the UNIJOS exam resumption begins and the state moves toward a week of mourning, Mutfwang has vowed that his administration will not be distracted by “online noise.” With one suspect already in custody for the massacre, the Governor maintains that his priority remains the “Renewed Hope” for a secure Plateau, regardless of whether he addresses the public from the ground or a height.