JOS—President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to track down and apprehend those responsible for the killings in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area, LGA, Plateau State, even as he consoled families of victims.
The deadly incident occurred on Palm Sunday when suspected bandits attacked a popular bar in the community, leaving over 28 people dead and many others injured, according to the Plateau State Police Command.
Speaking during a town hall meeting with key stakeholders in Jos, the state capital, Tinubu sympathised with the families of the victims, emphasising that no amount of money could ever replace their loss.
He said: “There is nothing I can give you, whether in billions, but to console you and promise that this experience will not repeat itself. I know the pain… the pain and agony in your hearts. Only God can give you joy and comfort. No amount of money can restore what you have lost.”
Tinubu assured that the federal government would provide support to affected families while ensuring justice is served.
“As a government, we will try our best to comfort you and work with you. The best solution is for justice to be done,” the President said.
The president also directed security agencies to track down and apprehend those responsible for the killings, commending the swift response of the police and military, saying “You must unearth and apprehend the killers. We will not allow such barbarity to go unpunished.”
To bolster security in Plateau, Tinubu announced that the Federal Government would deploy 5,000 Closed-Circuit Television, CCTV, cameras across the state to enhance intelligence gathering, surveillance, and rapid response to security threats.
“We are going to install immediately a network of cameras that will help law enforcement agencies identify troublemakers instantly,” he said.
Tinubu has also instructed the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs to compile data on all victims and their losses. “While human lives cannot be replaced, we must see what support we can provide to all affected families,” he emphasised.
Expressing outrage over the recurring violence, the president added: “I was elected not to create widows and widowers. Governor Caleb Mutfwang and I were elected on the promise of peace and prosperity, to come together and create a community that uplifts our people, not to hear that they are being killed constantly.”
The president called on community leaders and residents to unite in ending the cycle of violence, stressing the importance of peaceful coexistence. “We must break the shackles of violence, ignorance, poverty, and hopelessness together,” he said.
Earlier, Governor Mutfwang welcomed Tinubu’s visit, noting that Plateau had been enjoying relative peace and attracting local and foreign investments prior to the Palm Sunday attack.
He described the incident as a temporary setback and expressed confidence that, with the support of the Federal Government and security forces, the state would overcome the challenge.
Former Governor Jonah Jang also spoke at the town hall meeting, requesting a follow-up engagement with the president in Abuja to discuss lasting solutions to Plateau’s security challenges.
Goodwill messages were also delivered from the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatada; Senator Simon Lalong; and the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, highlighting solidarity with the victims and support for ongoing security measures.
Fresh attacks heighten anxiety
Despite ongoing interventions, fresh attacks have continued to heighten anxiety among residents. Gunmen on Wednesday night reportedly attacked a community in Heipang, near Plateau State Polytechnic, killing one person and injuring others. One of the injured victims later died in hospital, bringing the death toll from the incident to two.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that the attackers stormed the area at about 11 p.m., firing sporadically and causing panic among residents and students living off-campus.
A student of the institution, Nanchip Dube, described the situation as chaotic, saying: “The sounds of gunshots created panic.
“Students and residents ran in different directions for safety.”
The incident reportedly disrupted activities in the area, with many residents staying indoors for fear of further attacks.
In a related development, a 27-year-old man identified as Amos Monday was reportedly killed earlier in Riyom Local Government Area after gunmen ambushed a group of youths along a rural route linking communities.
Community leaders confirmed the attack and urged residents of Kwi, Wereng and neighbouring communities in Jos South, Barkin Ladi and Riyom to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies.
Army reinforces presence
In response to the deteriorating security situation, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, led a high-powered delegation of senior military and security officials on an on-the-spot assessment of the situation in Plateau State.
During the visit, the Army chief received detailed operational briefings from field commanders, including the General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, on ongoing efforts to contain the crisis and stabilise affected communities.
Following the assessment, the Army announced the deployment of over 850 additional troops to Plateau State to reinforce existing formations under Operation Enduring Peace. The troops were drawn from formations in Abuja and Kaduna.
Police step up operations
Similarly, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, visited Plateau State to assess the security situation and express solidarity with the government and people over the recent attacks.
He condemned the killings, describing them as tragic and unacceptable, and vowed that perpetrators would be tracked down and brought to justice.
He disclosed that additional police personnel, including specialised tactical units, had been deployed to Plateau to strengthen ongoing operations and improve coordination with other security agencies.
Stakeholders demand
decisive action
Meanwhile, reactions from key stakeholders have continued to trail the killings, with calls for more decisive and sustained action to address the security challenges.
The Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria, SCSN, in a statement, urged the Federal Government and security agencies to move beyond routine condemnations and adopt concrete measures to halt the violence.
The Council emphasised the need for firm political will, robust intelligence gathering and coordinated security operations to dismantle criminal networks and prevent further attacks.
Similarly, the Evangelical Church Winning All, ECWA, condemned the attacks in Plateau and neighbouring Kaduna State, describing them as a grave assault on human life and dignity.
ECWA President, Rev. Job Ayuba Bagat, expressed deep concern over the spate of killings and kidnappings, including a recent abduction incident in Kwara State, and called for urgent reforms in the country’s security architecture.
The cleric also urged security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of abducted persons and ensure that perpetrators of violent crimes are brought to justice without delay.
Atiku criticises Tinubu
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Tinubu’s, visit to Jos, faulting the president for limiting his within the confines of the airport.
In a statement, Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, described the visit as a “choreographed spectacle” that prioritised political optics over genuine empathy for the victims of the Palm Sunday attacks.
The former Vice President said: “It is both shocking and deeply insensitive that several days after the gruesome killings of innocent citizens, the President’s so-called ‘on-the-spot assessment’ was reduced to a brief stop at the foot of his aircraft, never extending beyond the airport, never reaching the grieving communities, and never touching the pain of the victims.
“Even more disturbing is the government’s decision to transport grieving citizens from distant parts of Jos Municipal to the airport in Heipang near Barkin Ladi, merely to stage an appearance before the President.
“At a time when families are in deep mourning, such actions reduce genuine human tragedy to a choreographed spectacle, prioritising optics over empathy and dignity. This is not only inappropriate; it is shameful.”
Atiku argued that this incident was not isolated, drawing parallels to a June 2025 visit to Benue State.
In the case of Plateau, Atiku noted that while the president met with politicians and traditional rulers at the airport, he offered no “concrete policy direction” or “decisive security intervention” to prevent future horrors.
“This is not leadership, it is indifference dressed as protocol. A leader who cannot stand with his people in their darkest hour cannot convincingly claim to be fighting for their safety.
“Nigerians are not asking for ceremonial appearances or fleeting sympathy visits. What they demand and deserve is a government that can secure lives and property. They do not need to see the President’s face; they need to feel the impact of his leadership,” he said.
