…No safe haven for criminals — Tinubu vows
…Invites Plateau Governor for coordinated response
President Bola Tinubu has disclosed that the Federal Government is procuring advanced technological equipment to enable security agencies to track and neutralise criminal elements in real time, as authorities step up efforts to curb violence following recent attacks in Plateau and Kaduna states.
The President’s remarks followed deadly incidents involving gunmen in Angwan Rukuba, Jos, Plateau State, and Kahir village in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
He described the assault on the Jos community, alongside the killing and abduction of wedding guests in Kaduna, as a grave violation of national values, assuring Nigerians that those responsible would face justice.
“Anyone who sneaks under the cover of darkness to kill defenceless citizens, as seen in Jos and Kahir village, is a heartless coward. By targeting vulnerable communities in Jos, their aim extends beyond immediate harm to provoking cycles of reprisal attacks and further bloodshed,” he said.
President Tinubu reiterated that security agencies are actively responding to the situation, while underlining the importance of public cooperation in preserving peace and safeguarding lives and property. He pointed to the need for residents to comply with evacuation, relocation and related directives issued by authorities, while welcoming the safe return of two victims abducted in Kaduna.
He called on security agencies to adopt a more anticipatory posture in preventing such attacks by acting on early warning intelligence, insisting that all remaining abductees from Kahir village must be rescued without delay.
The President commended Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang for his handling of the situation in Jos, as well as Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani for backing rescue and containment efforts. He conveyed condolences to families of those killed and wished the injured a swift recovery, while reaffirming federal support for both states.
“Our government is currently acquiring more sophisticated equipment to enable our security agencies to track and dismantle criminal networks in real time, wherever they operate,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, reiterated the Federal Government’s resolve to confront insecurity, stating during a press briefing in Abuja that Nigeria would not yield to criminal violence as efforts continue to restore stability in Plateau State.
The Minister expressed concern over the attacks and extended sympathies to bereaved families, as well as to the Plateau State Government and its residents. He confirmed that security agencies moved promptly in response, with troops under Operation Enduring Peace deployed immediately.
According to him, combined forces of the military and other security agencies secured the affected areas and initiated operations to apprehend those responsible.
“These swift actions ensured that the situation was quickly contained and prevented further escalation,” Idris said, noting that the intervention forms part of broader efforts to reinforce security across Plateau State and the wider North-Central region.
He explained that sustained military and intelligence-led operations are ongoing in vulnerable communities, supported by expanded surveillance, additional troop deployments and coordinated patrols involving both the military and the police. These measures, he said, are designed to deter further attacks and sustain stability.
Idris affirmed that the administration of President Tinubu remains fully committed to addressing security challenges through targeted operations and coordinated strategies across security agencies. He revealed that the President has already convened a meeting with top security and intelligence officials to review developments and determine further action.
He also disclosed that Governor Caleb Mutfwang has been invited for further consultations aimed at strengthening collaboration and ensuring a unified approach to securing lasting peace.
The Minister acknowledged steps taken by the Plateau State Government, including the imposition of a 48-hour curfew in Jos North, describing the move as necessary to stabilise the situation and support ongoing security operations.
He added that federal and state authorities are working in close coordination to forestall reprisals, restore calm and advance investigations.
While describing the attacks as deeply troubling, Idris maintained that they do not signal a collapse of national security, characterising them instead as criminal acts within a conflict-prone area that are being actively contained.
He assured Nigerians that those behind the violence would be brought to justice, stating that there would be no refuge for criminal elements anywhere in the country.
The Minister further reassured the public that the situation in Plateau State remains under control, calling on citizens to remain calm and law-abiding. He cautioned against the circulation of unverified information, warning that such actions risk heightening tensions and undermining ongoing security efforts.
He added that the Federal Government would continue to strengthen intelligence gathering, operational readiness and inter-agency coordination in order to stay ahead of emerging threats and secure lasting peace nationwide.
