President Bola Tinubu has assured victims of the recent attack in Jos, Plateau State, that such a tragedy would not happen again, pledging the Federal Government’s commitment to restoring peace and security.
The President gave the assurance on Thursday during a stakeholders’ meeting following the deadly Palm Sunday attack in Angwan Rukuba, where 28 people were killed by unidentified gunmen.
Addressing political leaders and affected residents, Tinubu expressed deep sympathy while promising stronger preventive measures.
“There’s nothing I can give you whether money in millions but to console you and promise you that this experience will not repeat itself,” he said.
“As government, we will try our best to comfort you, to work with you, but the best solution is for Jos to return to the Jos we used to know.”
He stressed that both he and Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, were elected to deliver prosperity and unity, not grief.
“We were elected to bring prosperity, not to console and create widows and widowers; to bring prosperity as a promise; to bring inclusiveness as a government; to share the hope and aspiration of everyone,” the President stated.
Tinubu also highlighted the importance of securing a peaceful future for the younger generation, adding that his visit was not only to commiserate but to ensure lasting peace in the state.
“I don’t want to come here just to commiserate and console; I want to be here to establish peace,” he said.
In a decisive move, the President directed security chiefs and the Minister of Defence to track down those responsible for the killings and strengthen security operations across the state. He also announced the deployment of 5,000 security cameras to enhance intelligence gathering, surveillance, and rapid response to threats.
Governor Mutfwang, in his remarks, welcomed the President and noted that the state had been enjoying relative peace and attracting investments before the recent attack. He described the incident as a temporary setback and expressed confidence that, with federal support, Plateau would overcome its security challenges.
Mutfwang commended security agencies for preventing numerous attacks that often go unreported and revealed that a State Security Council meeting had already produced far-reaching decisions to address the situation.
He also reflected on the long-standing nature of the crisis, which has spanned administrations including those of Joshua Dariye, Jonah Jang, and Simon Lalong. However, he noted that Tinubu’s leadership has created a renewed platform for unity among Plateau leaders.
Former Governor Jonah Jang also called for a follow-up meeting with the President in Abuja to discuss long-term solutions, warning against attempts to destabilize upcoming elections.
Goodwill messages were also delivered by Simon Lalong and the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba.
What you should know
President Tinubu’s visit to Plateau comes amid rising insecurity concerns, with the Angwan Rukuba attack highlighting persistent violence in the region.
His directive to deploy 5,000 CCTV cameras signals a shift toward technology-driven security solutions. The collaboration between federal and state authorities, alongside traditional and political leaders, is seen as crucial to achieving lasting peace.
However, the effectiveness of these measures will depend on implementation, intelligence coordination, and sustained community engagement to address the root causes of the conflict.
