Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has defended his decision to address residents from atop an armoured tank carrier (ATC) after the Palm Sunday attacks in Jos. The incident, which occurred on March 31, 2024, led to multiple deaths and widespread destruction in the city. Speaking on Channels Television's Politics Today on April 5, Mutfwang stated that security agencies advised the use of the ATC due to the volatile situation. He emphasized the need to reassure citizens while ensuring his safety during the public appearance. "I wanted to show presence and leadership at a time when fear was high," he said. The governor noted that the military and police were deployed to restore order and protect lives and property. No official casualty figures were released during his interview.
A governor speaking from a tank is not leadership—it is theatre built on fear. Mutfwang's appearance, while framed as reassurance, underscores how normalised militarised governance has become in Nigeria's conflict zones. When civilian authority depends on military hardware for credibility, the state's presence is more threat than protection. For residents of Jos, this moment offers no comfort, only continuity.
