President Bola Tinubu has condemned the recent attacks in Plateau and Kaduna States, describing the killings as “barbaric” and unacceptable, while assuring that those responsible will be brought to justice.
The attacks, carried out by gunmen, reportedly occurred in Angwan Rukuba in Jos and Kahir village in Kagarko Local Government Area, leaving several people dead and others abducted, including wedding guests.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President criticised the nature of the attacks, saying, “anyone who will sneak under the cover of the night and kill defenceless citizens… is a heartless coward.”
He added that “by attacking soft targets in Jos, their objective is not only to cause harm but also trigger a spiral of reprisal attacks and further bloodletting.”
Tinubu directed security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend the perpetrators and curb the spread of misinformation that could escalate tensions, cautioning against narratives suggesting religious motives behind the attacks.
He stressed the need for proactive measures, urging security agencies to act on intelligence to prevent further violence.
“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.
The President also commended the efforts of Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, and Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, for their roles in managing the crises and supporting rescue operations.
“I commend Governor Caleb Mutfwang… and Governor Uba Sani… for supporting the rescue and containment efforts. I assure the people and government of the two states of my support,” he stated.
Tinubu extended condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery, reiterating the administration’s commitment to improving national security.
“Our government is currently acquiring more sophisticated equipment to enable our security agencies to track and smash criminals, in real time, wherever they are,” he added.
