Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has defended his decision to address a crowd from an Armoured Tank Carrier (ATC) following the Palm Sunday attack in Jos. Speaking in an interview on Channels Television's Politics Today on Friday, Mutfwang said the use of the ATC was based on security advice and practical necessity. He explained that the height of the vehicle allowed him to be seen and heard clearly by the gathered crowd. "From the height I stood, part of the reason they put me in the ATC was for me to gain height in order to address the crowd," he said.
Mutfwang dismissed suggestions that he was in danger, stating that residents called out to him, saying "come, come," and assured him it was safe to approach. He attributed public misunderstanding to short video clips on social media that did not show the full context. The governor revealed he had been in Abuja attending the APC National Convention and security meetings before returning to Jos. He maintained that while security operatives remained cautious, he personally felt secure among the people during the encounter.
Governor Mutfwang speaking from an armoured carrier made for dramatic footage, but his explanation rests on a thin line between security protocol and public perception. The fact that residents had to repeatedly urge him to come down suggests a visible disconnect, not just a height issue. When leaders need military hardware to meet their people, even in crisis, it signals a deeper erosion of trust. No amount of video context can mask that symbolism.
