Tinubu vows punishment for ‘heartless cowards’ behind Plateau, Kaduna killings

President Bola Tinubu has charged security agencies to be more proactive in preventing attacks on communities by acting on early warning intelligence. This directive follows his strong condemnation of the barbaric and cowardly attacks by gunmen on innocent citizens in the Angwan Rukuba district of Jos, Plateau State.

Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser to the president on Information and Strategy, stated that the president equally condemned the attacks in Kahir village, located in the Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Describing the assault in Jos and the abduction of wedding guests in Kaduna as an affront to Nigeria’s values, President Tinubu assured citizens that these acts will not go unpunished. He labelled those responsible for killing defenceless citizens under the cover of night as “heartless cowards”.

The president noted that by attacking soft targets in Jos, the perpetrators aim to trigger a spiral of reprisal attacks and further bloodletting. He has directed security agencies to intensify efforts to pursue the perpetrators and those spreading misinformation that could inflame tensions.

Tinubu also cautioned sections of the media against insinuating that the attacks were religiously motivated. He reaffirmed that security agencies are actively addressing the situation and stressed that public cooperation is vital to maintaining peace.

Additionally, the president emphasised the need for communities to comply with evacuation and relocation advice provided by authorities. He also hailed the safe return of two of the Kaduna victims.

While urging security agencies to act on early warning intelligence, President Tinubu demanded the immediate rescue of all remaining abductees from Kahir village. He commended Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State and Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State for their efforts in containing the situation and supporting rescue operations.

The president assured the people and governments of both states of his continued support and commiserated with the families of those killed. He further revealed that the government is acquiring sophisticated equipment to enable security agencies to track and smash criminals in real time.