President Bola Tinubu has vowed to strengthen collaboration with stakeholders to end the cycle of violence in Plateau and restore lasting peace.
Tinubu made the pledge on Thursday during a solemn visit to Jos, where he met with community leaders and victims of recent deadly attacks.
The president had postponed a planned visit to Ogun State to assess the situation in Plateau following the Palm Sunday attack in Angwan Rukuba. He expressed deep sympathy for victims, stressing that while compensation cannot replace lost lives, restoring peace and stability remains the government’s top priority.
“I don’t want to be here commiserating and consoling. I want to be here to establish peace. “We were elected on the promise of peace and prosperity, not to create widows and widowers.” he said
Following the engagements, the president announced immediate measures aimed at strengthening security and preventing further attacks across the state. He directed the Minister of Communications, Bosun Tijani, to commence installation of a 5,000-camera surveillance network across Jos.
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Tinubu said the surveillance system would enable security agencies to identify and track criminal elements in real time and enhance rapid response capabilities. He also ordered security forces to intensify operations and ensure perpetrators of the recent killings are identified and brought to justice.
He directed the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Bernard Doro, to conduct a comprehensive assessment of victims and losses to enable prompt support and relief interventions.
Tinubu further ordered the expansion of the state’s peace and security committee to include more stakeholders, advocating inclusiveness in resolving communal tensions.
The president used the symbolism of his “broken shackle” cap to underscore his resolve to end cycles of violence, poverty, and ignorance fueling insecurity.
He urged local leaders to shun divisive tendencies and return to the progressive path that once made Jos a thriving political and social hub.
” Why is the past not a source of lessons to us? I have listened to Jonah Jang, Wase, Lalong, Nentawe and Governor Mutfwang.
“Governor, you and I were elected on a promise of peace and security, not to comfort and create widows and widowers.
“We were elected to bring prosperity and inclusiveness as a government, to share hope and aspiration with everyone, and to lead our youth.
” I assure our youths who are represented here that I do not want to be here consoling and commiserating — I want to be here to establish peace,” Tinubu said.
Earlier, Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau called for collective action to tackle insecurity across the state. He noted that the crisis had persisted across successive administrations since 1999, requiring sustained and coordinated responses from all stakeholders.
He however stressed that the state had enjoyed relative peace before the unfortunate incident of March 29, describing it as a temporary setback.
Also speaking, the traditional rulers, led by the Gbong Gwom Jos, Buba Gyang, called for a broader stakeholders’ meeting with the President in Abuja.
Former governors, including Jonah Jang and Simon Lalong, also advocated a comprehensive approach to resolving the crisis.
The National Chairman, All Progressives Congress, APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and other political leaders expressed optimism that sustained dialogue and security reforms would end the violence.
NAN
