President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to track down and arrest those responsible for the Palm Sunday killings in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, where more than 28 people were killed in an attack on a local bar.
The president gave the directive during a town hall meeting with stakeholders in Jos, where he also sympathised with families of the victims, describing the incident as deeply painful and assuring them of government support and justice.
“There is nothing I can give you, whether in billions, but to console you and promise that this experience will not repeat itself,” Tinubu said, adding that only God could truly comfort grieving families.
He pledged that the Federal Government would support affected households and ensure perpetrators face justice. The president also commended the response of security agencies and instructed them to intensify efforts to apprehend those behind the attack.
As part of measures to strengthen security in Plateau, Tinubu announced plans to deploy 5,000 closed-circuit television cameras across the state to improve intelligence gathering, surveillance, and rapid response to threats. He also directed the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs to compile data on victims and their losses for possible assistance.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang said the state had enjoyed relative peace and rising investment before the Palm Sunday violence, expressing confidence that with federal support, stability would be restored. Former governor Jonah Jang called for further engagement with the presidency to develop lasting solutions to recurring security challenges.
Despite the interventions, fresh attacks have continued to raise concern. Gunmen reportedly attacked a community in Heipang near Plateau State Polytechnic on Wednesday night, killing two people and injuring others after firing sporadically and causing panic among residents and students.
Earlier, another resident identified as Amos Monday was reportedly killed in an ambush along a rural route in Riyom Local Government Area, prompting community leaders to urge vigilance across nearby communities in Jos South, Barkin Ladi and Riyom.
In response to the worsening situation, Chief of Army Staff Olufemi Oluyede visited Plateau and approved the deployment of more than 850 additional troops to reinforce Operation Enduring Peace. Similarly, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu ordered additional tactical police units to the state.
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticised the president’s visit, describing it as limited in scope and lacking direct engagement with affected communities. In a statement by his aide Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that Nigerians expected stronger policy direction and decisive action to prevent further attacks rather than what he called a symbolic appearance.
Stakeholders including the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria and Evangelical Church Winning All also condemned the violence and urged the Federal Government to adopt more concrete security measures, improve intelligence coordination, and ensure perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice.
