Tinubu condemns killings in Plateau, Kaduna — Orders crackdown on perpetrators
President Bola Tinubu has strongly condemned the recent attacks by gunmen in Plateau and Kaduna states, describing the incidents as “barbaric and cowardly” and vowing that the perpetrators will be brought to justice.
The president’s reaction was contained in a State House press release issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The statement followed deadly attacks in Angwan Rukuba district of Jos, Plateau State, and Kahir village in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where several persons were reportedly killed, including wedding guests, with others abducted.
President Tinubu said the assaults on the affected communities were “an affront to all that Nigeria stands for,” warning that such acts of violence would not go unpunished.
“Anyone who will sneak under the cover of the night and kill defenceless citizens, as done in Jos and Kahir village, is a heartless coward. By attacking soft targets, their objective is not only to cause harm but also to trigger a spiral of reprisal attacks and further bloodletting,” he said.
He directed security agencies to intensify efforts to track down those responsible for the attacks, as well as individuals spreading misinformation capable of inflaming tensions.
The president also cautioned sections of the media against suggesting that the attacks were religiously motivated, urging responsible reporting to prevent escalation of tensions.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to restoring peace, Tinubu said security agencies were actively addressing the situation and called on citizens to cooperate with authorities.
He urged communities to adhere to safety directives, including evacuation and relocation measures where necessary, to safeguard lives and property.
The president also called for improved intelligence gathering and proactive measures by security agencies to prevent further attacks.
“I urge our security agencies to be more proactive in preventing these attacks by acting on early warning intelligence. All the remaining abductees from Kahir village must be rescued immediately,” he said.
Mr Tinubu commended Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, for efforts to contain the situation in Jos, and Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, for supporting rescue and security operations.
He also welcomed the safe return of two victims from the Kaduna attack and expressed condolences to families of those killed, while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
The president further disclosed that the federal government was acquiring advanced security equipment to enhance real-time tracking and response capabilities against criminal elements across the country.
