Plateau

By Umar Idris Shuaibu The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his visit to Plateau State to commiserate with victims of the recent killings in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area, describing it as a demonstration of compassionate and responsive leadership. Yilwatda, in a statement issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Communications Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, said the President’s visit reflects national solidarity at a time when residents of the state are grieving the loss of innocent lives. The APC chairman, who received the President alongside Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang and other political, traditional, and religious leaders, condemned the attack in strong terms, describing it as inhuman, cowardly, and a direct assault on the peace and unity of Plateau State. He said the persistent killings in the state must no longer be treated with routine reactions, stressing the need for deliberate, coordinated, and result-oriented efforts to end the cycle of violence. Read Also: Tinubu Assures Plateau Residents of Lasting Peace After Jos Attack, Vows Justice for Victims According to him, community leaders must take greater responsibility by remaining vigilant and proactive in identifying and reporting suspicious activities within their areas, noting that perpetrators of such attacks often exploit local vulnerabilities. Yilwatda warned that criminals responsible for the violence must no longer be shielded by silence, fear, or complicity, insisting that they must be identified, apprehended, and brought to justice. He also urged security agencies to review and strengthen their operational strategies, noting that outdated methods cannot effectively tackle increasingly sophisticated criminal networks. The APC chairman advocated the deployment of modern technology, including surveillance systems, drones, and intelligence-driven tools, to improve security operations and prevent attacks before they occur. He further highlighted the economic consequences of insecurity in Plateau State, noting that the recurring violence has undermined the state’s tourism potential, agricultural productivity, and overall development. According to him, no meaningful economic growth can be achieved in an environment plagued by fear and instability, warning that continued insecurity could jeopardise the future of young people and discourage investment. Yilwatda called for a collective approach to addressing the crisis, urging traditional rulers, religious leaders, political actors, security agencies, and community stakeholders to work together to restore peace and stability. During the visit, President Tinubu also met with families of victims of the Angwan Rukuba attack, offering condolences and assuring them of the Federal Government’s commitment to justice and support. The APC noted that the visit was not merely symbolic but a clear indication of the Federal Government’s resolve to tackle insecurity and ensure lasting peace in Plateau State. The party reiterated that the lives of citizens remain sacred and must be protected, while those responsible for acts of violence must be held accountable without delay.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured residents of Plateau State that the recent wave of killings in the state capital will not recur, as he visited Jos to commiserate with victims of the Palm Sunday attack in Angwan Rukuba community. Speaking during the visit on Thursday, the President acknowledged the pain and loss suffered by families affected by the attack, which left at least 28 people dead and several others injured. “This will not repeat itself,” Tinubu declared while addressing community leaders and residents, pledging decisive action to restore peace and security in the state. The President noted that no amount of money could compensate for the loss of lives but assured victims of the Federal Government’s support in their time of grief. “No amount of money can bring back the dead, but we will do our best to comfort you, walk with you, and provide the necessary assistance,” he said, expressing sympathy to bereaved families, including one Rhoda Favour, who lost a loved one in the attack. Read Also: CITAD Distributes School Materials to Nomadic Pupils in Kano, Urges Increased Govt Intervention UNIJOS Orders Students to Vacate Hostels Amid Rising Tension in Jos Jos Boils Again: Fresh Attacks Reported After Curfew Lift Tinubu further vowed that those responsible for the violence would be brought to justice, stressing that security agencies had been fully mobilised. “We will find the perpetrators of these dastardly acts,” he said. “The Inspector-General of Police and the Chief of Army Staff are here, and security forces will do what is necessary.” He also disclosed plans to strengthen surveillance in the state, including the deployment of security cameras to enhance intelligence gathering and crime detection. The President’s visit comes days after the coordinated evening assault on Angwan Rukuba, which triggered tension, violent reprisals in surrounding communities, and heightened security concerns across the state. Governor Seeks Sustained Federal Support In his remarks, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, described the attack as a major setback but expressed optimism that the state would overcome the challenge. “This incident is a temporary setback. By the grace of God, we will overcome and continue on the path of peace and prosperity,” Mutfwang said. The governor noted that Plateau had recently experienced relative calm before the latest violence and called for sustained federal support to consolidate security gains. He disclosed that a State Security Council meeting had been convened, with far-reaching decisions taken to address the situation, while security agencies intensify efforts to restore normalcy. Mutfwang also advocated for deeper engagement with the Presidency and other stakeholders to find lasting solutions to the recurring security challenges in the state. “These challenges have faced us for decades. We believe a deeper conversation will help us arrive at lasting peace,” he reiterated.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has postponed his planned trip to Ogun State and will instead travel to Jos, the Plateau State capital, to commiserate with victims of recent attacks. The decision was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. Tinubu was earlier scheduled to visit Iperu, Ogun State, on Thursday to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport. “Instead, he will head to Jos, capital of Plateau State, to commiserate with the government and people of the state over the recent gun attacks, which claimed the lives of innocent citizens,” the statement read. The visit follows renewed violence in Jos, where gunmen reportedly launched a deadly attack on the Anguwan Rukuba community on Sunday, killing several residents and injuring others. Read Also: UNIJOS Orders Students to Vacate Hostels Amid Rising Tension in Jos Jos Boils Again: Fresh Attacks Reported After Curfew Lift Lere: A Historic Fulani Settlement and Cultural Crossroads in Kaduna Residents said the assailants, who arrived on motorcycles, opened fire indiscriminately on people at a busy junction. Following the incident, the Plateau State Government, led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, imposed a 48-hour curfew on Jos North Local Government Area to contain the situation and prevent further breakdown of law and order. Although the curfew was later relaxed to allow limited movement, fresh tension was reported as hoodlums allegedly exploited the window to attack motorists and passersby in parts of the city. The violence also disrupted academic activities, prompting the University of Jos to order the evacuation of students from hostels over safety concerns. From Plateau State, the President is expected to proceed to Lagos to observe the Good Friday holiday. The statement added that Tinubu would now visit Ogun State on Saturday, April 4, to commission the cargo airport and inaugurate two commercial aircraft designated for export and import operations. He is also expected to inaugurate the new Federal Operations Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service, along with its operational vehicles. During his stay in Lagos, the President will commission key infrastructure projects executed by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The projects include the Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge, the Lagos State Geographic Information System building, a multi-agency complex named after the President, and a school complex. Tinubu is further scheduled to visit Bayelsa State on April 10 to inaugurate projects completed by Governor Duoye Diri before returning to Abuja. The visit forms part of a four-state tour by the President.

Fresh tension has gripped Jos, the Plateau State capital, following renewed violence just hours after the state government relaxed a 48-hour curfew imposed in the aftermath of a deadly attack in Anguwan Rukuba. Reports indicate that sporadic clashes broke out in parts of the city, with unconfirmed casualties, forcing residents to flee while traders who had earlier resumed business hurriedly shut down their shops. Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic, with many residents running for safety amid fears of further attacks. Read Also: Radiographers Oppose Health Bills, Warn of Threat to Professional Autonomy Security presence has reportedly been reinforced across affected areas, although authorities are yet to officially confirm details of the latest incidents. Residents have, however, been urged to remain calm and vigilant as efforts to restore order continue. The unrest comes in the wake of Sunday night’s attack in Anguwan Rukuba, where gunmen on motorcycles reportedly killed at least 28 people near a busy junction. The incident sparked outrage, with angry youths taking to the streets and blocking major roads in protest. The attack also disrupted academic activities, prompting the University of Jos to reschedule examinations earlier slated for March 30 and 31, while advising students and staff to limit movement. The latest violence adds to growing insecurity in Plateau State, coming weeks after an ambush in Kanam Local Government Area reportedly claimed the lives of over 20 security operatives and vigilantes. Governor Caleb Mutfwang has maintained that the state will not yield to intimidation, even as concerns continue to mount over the fragile security situation and the risk of further escalation.

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The development was confirmed on Friday by the National Chairman of the APC, Nentawe Yilwatda, who announced the governor’s defection in a statement shared to newsmen. Read Also: Beyond Betrayal: The Real Politics Behind Abba Kabir Yusuf’s Calculated Move Mutfwang had earlier declared his intention to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing the protracted internal crisis within the opposition party as the reason for his decision.  

Five herders were injured on Sunday evening after gunmen opened fire on them at a Conoil filling station along the Bukuru Expressway in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State. The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) confirmed the incident, saying the victims were members of the association. The Plateau State Chairman of MACBAN, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, said the herders were travelling in a J5 open-body vehicle when they were attacked. According to him, the vehicle was carrying eight herders, five of whom sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to hospital for treatment. Also speaking, the Deputy Chairman of Kara Market, Dauda Adam Ciroma, described the attack as deadly, noting that personnel of the Police B Division arrived promptly at the scene. Ciroma said police officers assisted in evacuating the victims to the hospital, adding that some of the injured suffered fractures in addition to bullet wounds. Read Also: End of an Era: Prominent Nigerians and Global Icons We Lost in 2025 In a statement issued on Monday, Babayo explained that the incident occurred as the herders were returning from Kara Market, a cattle market in Bukuru. He said three gunmen riding on a motorcycle, who had been trailing the victims, stormed the filling station and opened fire before fleeing the scene. Babayo added that the victims were initially taken to the Jos University Teaching Hospital but were later moved to The Potters Specialist Hospital, Jos, due to the ongoing strike at the government hospital. Describing the attack as unprovoked, Babayo said the herders had only stopped at the filling station to buy fuel when they were attacked. “This attack is unprovoked because the herders were just buying fuel. The gunmen specifically targeted them, and this has become a dangerous trend threatening the existence of Fulani herders in the state,” he said. He said the association had called on its members to remain calm, noting that the attacks appeared to be aimed at provoking them. Babayo urged security agencies to investigate the incident and arrest the perpetrators, lamenting that herders no longer feel safe in communities, grazing fields, markets, and other public places. Efforts to obtain reactions from the spokespersons of Operation Enduring Peace and the Plateau State Police Command, Major Samson Zhakom and SP Alabo Alfred respectively, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

The Muslim community in Jos, Plateau State, has claimed that more than 4,700 of its members have been killed in violent crises in the state from 2001 to date. The Jasawa Community Development Association (JCDA) made the disclosure during a prayer session held on Friday, November 28, 2025, at the Jos Central Mosque. The group said the figures counter the widely held perception that only Christians have suffered targeted killings in the state, insisting that Muslims have also been major victims of repeated violence. Speaking at the session marking the 17th commemoration prayers for victims of the crises, the National President of JCDA, Yawale Muhammad, said the association has kept detailed records of Muslim casualties from the various conflicts in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2010, and other years. According to him, the documented number of Muslims killed since 2001 stands at over 4,700. Muhammad described the 2008 crisis as the most devastating, noting that hundreds of Muslims were killed during the violence that erupted after the local government elections in Jos North. “The Muslim community is gathered today to mark the 17th commemoration of the killing of our brothers and sisters since 2001 to date,” he said. Read Also: Insecurity and School Closures in Northern Nigeria – By Comrade Wali, mni He stated that for more than two decades, repeated crises—particularly in Jos North, which has a large Muslim population—have led to the deaths of numerous men, women, and children across different parts of the state. “For us, every 28th November is not just another date on the calendar. It is a date that subsumes many other painful days in which unfortunate crises befell us. It is a day for sober reflection, mourning, truth-telling, prayer, and renewed resolve,” Muhammad added. Giving a breakdown of the figures, the JCDA President said more than 700 Muslims were killed in the 2001 crisis, while hundreds more were killed in the 2002 Eto Baba violence in Jos. He added: “You will recall that in 2004 during the Yelwa-Shendam crisis, at least 700 Muslims were slaughtered. “In 2008, the post-election unrest in Jos resulted in over 1,000 Muslim deaths, followed by the 2010 multi-location attacks in Dutse Uku, Gero, Kuru Jenta, and other areas, where more than 2,000 Muslims were reportedly killed. “In 2011, attacks at the Rukuba Road Eid praying ground left 20 worshippers dead, while the 2021 Rukuba Road incident claimed hundreds of lives among Muslim travellers returning from a condolence visit to Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi. According to our records, we have lost 4,700 people.” Muhammad added that several mass graves exist at Jos Zaria Road Muslim Cemetery, Narkuta Muslim Cemetery, Dadin Kowa Muslim Cemetery, Yelwa-Shendam Muslim Cemetery, and other locations. Also speaking at the prayer session, a community leader, Alhaji Shehu Masalla, described November 28 as a significant day of remembrance for Muslims in Jos. “We remember those who were killed during these crises. We have also lost property worth millions of naira. This day is very important for us,” he said. Malam Hamisu Umaru, who led the prayer session, said the gathering was essential not only to honor the victims but also to seek Allah’s intervention for lasting peace in Plateau State. He emphasized that development would remain impossible without peaceful coexistence across ethno-religious lines. (Daily Post)