President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has strongly condemned the recent attacks by gunmen in Plateau and Kaduna states, describing the killings as barbaric, cruel and unacceptable, while assuring Nigerians that those responsible would be brought to justice.
The attacks, which occurred in Angwan Rukuba district in Jos, Plateau State, and Kahir village in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, left several people dead and others abducted, including wedding guests. The incidents have once again raised concerns about insecurity in parts of the country, especially in rural communities where residents remain vulnerable to night attacks by armed groups.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President condemned the attackers, describing them as heartless individuals whose actions were aimed at causing chaos and triggering reprisal violence.
According to the President, anyone who sneaks under the cover of darkness to attack defenceless citizens is a coward, stressing that the perpetrators deliberately targeted soft locations with the intention of creating fear and provoking further bloodshed in affected communities. He warned that the Federal Government would not allow such acts to continue unchecked.
President Tinubu said security agencies had been directed to intensify operations in the affected areas and ensure that those behind the attacks were tracked down and prosecuted. He also called on community leaders and residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that could help prevent further attacks and arrest those responsible.
The President further urged citizens to remain calm and avoid reprisals, noting that retaliatory violence would only worsen the situation and lead to more loss of innocent lives. He stressed that the government was committed to protecting all Nigerians regardless of where they live.
Meanwhile, local authorities in Plateau and Kaduna states have reportedly increased security presence in the affected communities to prevent further attacks. Community leaders have also called for improved surveillance, better intelligence gathering, and quicker response from security agencies whenever distress calls are made.
The attacks in Jos and Kagarko have drawn reactions from civil society organisations and political leaders, many of whom called on the Federal Government to take stronger measures to address recurring violence in parts of the country. Some residents expressed fear and frustration, saying such attacks have become too frequent and have disrupted farming, trading, and social activities in the affected areas.
Security experts say the pattern of attacking rural communities at night suggests that the attackers often take advantage of poor road access, limited security presence, and lack of communication infrastructure in remote areas. They have therefore called for more investment in rural security, including the deployment of technology such as drones, improved communication systems, and community policing structures.
Despite the challenges, President Tinubu reassured Nigerians that his administration remains determined to restore peace and security across the country. He said the government would continue to support the armed forces and other security agencies with the resources and intelligence needed to defeat criminal elements threatening the peace of the nation.
He also expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones in the attacks and prayed for the safe return of those abducted, assuring that the government would not relent until justice is served and peace is restored in the affected communities.
