President Bola Ahmed Tinubu traveled to Plateau State on Thursday to personally console families affected by the Palm Sunday massacre in the Agwan Rukuba district of Jos North Local Government Area. During a town hall meeting at the Yakubu Gowon Airport in Heipang, the President met with survivors and relatives of the victims, vowing to implement sweeping security measures to end the cycle of violence in the region.
The visit comes just days after unknown gunmen attacked a popular bar in the community, killing at least 28 people and leaving many others injured. Addressing a gathering that included Governor Caleb Mutfwang, traditional rulers, and grieving families, President Tinubu acknowledged the insufficiency of words or monetary compensation for the lives lost but promised concrete action.
"There is nothing I can give you, whether in millions or billions, but to console you and promise you that this experience will not repeat itself," Tinubu said. "We were elected on the promise of peace and prosperity, not to create widows and widowers."
In a moment that drew visible emotion from the audience, the President specifically recognized Favour Rhoda, a mother whose only son was killed in the attack. A video of Rhoda mourning her son had gone viral earlier in the week. "I see how, on the video, you held on to Ayuba and the pain and agony in your heart," Tinubu said. "Only God can give you joy and comfort."
To prevent future tragedies, President Tinubu announced the immediate deployment of 5,000 Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras across Jos to enhance intelligence gathering and surveillance. He also directed the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs to compile data on all victims to ensure affected families receive government support.
"We are going to install immediately a network of cameras that will help law enforcement agencies identify troublemakers instantly," the President stated, adding that security agencies have been ordered to track down and apprehend the perpetrators of the attack.
The President's security response is supported by the military, which has already deployed over 850 additional troops to Plateau State to reinforce Operation Enduring Peace.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang welcomed the President's visit, noting that Plateau had been enjoying relative peace prior to the Palm Sunday attack and expressing confidence that federal support would help overcome this "temporary setback."
The visit, however, drew criticism from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who described it as a "choreographed spectacle" and faulted the President for limiting his engagement to the airport rather than visiting the affected communities directly.
Despite the political controversy, President Tinubu maintained that his administration is committed to justice. "You must unearth and apprehend the killers," he directed security chiefs. "We will not allow such barbarity to go unpunished."