- Safiu Kehinde
President Bola Tinubu has ordered intensified security operation against the perpetrators of the Plateau and Kaduna states’ killings.
NPO Reported that a group of gunmen had on Sunday stormed the Angwan Rukuba district in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau state.
The assailants opened fire on the community, killing over 30 residents with several others injured.
While the death toll is still counting, another attack would be reported at Kahir village in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna state where gunmen killed 13 wedding guests with several others abducted.
Reacting to the development in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu condemned both attacks, describing them as an affront to all that Nigeria stands for.
Tinubu assured Nigerians that the barbaric acts will 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 in Jos, their objective is not only to cause harm but also trigger a spiral of reprisal attacks and further bloodletting,” he said.
The President, according to Onanuga, directed security agencies to intensify all efforts to pursue the perpetrators and those spreading misinformation that can inflame tensions and further endanger lives.
He cautioned some sections of the media, insinuating the attacks were religiously motivated.
Tinubu reaffirmed that security agencies are actively addressing the situation and stressed that public cooperation is vital to maintaining peace and protecting lives and property.
He stressed the need for communities to comply with evacuation, relocation, and related advice and processes. He hailed the safe return of two of the Kaduna victims.
“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”, the President said.
He commended the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Muftwang, and his Kaduna counterpart, Uba Sani, for supporting the resuce and containment of the crisis.
The President pledged his support to both states while commiserating with families of the deceased.
“I commend Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State for his efforts in containing the situation in Jos and Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State for supporting the rescue and containment efforts.
“I assure the people and government of the two states of my support. I commiserate with the families of those killed and pray for the quick recovery of the injured.
“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.