Key points
- President Bola Tinubu convenes emergency meeting with security chiefs over Plateau violence.
- Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang summoned to Abuja for urgent consultations.
- Federal Government activates coordinated security response following deadly Jos attack.
Main story
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday held a high-level security meeting with top military and intelligence chiefs following renewed violence in Plateau State, summoning Governor Caleb Mutfwang to Abuja for urgent consultations.
The development comes in the wake of a deadly attack in Angwan Rukuba district of Jos, where gunmen reportedly killed at least 28 persons and injured several others, heightening concerns over security in the state capital.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed the President’s directive while briefing journalists in Abuja.
Idris said the Federal Government had activated a coordinated security response to contain the situation and prevent further escalation.
According to him, Governor Mutfwang has been invited to meet with the President to develop a joint strategy aimed at restoring lasting peace in Plateau State, noting that outcomes of the meeting would be made public.
The issues
Plateau State has long grappled with recurring cycles of violence, often linked to communal tensions and criminal activities, raising concerns about the sustainability of peace in the North-Central region.
The latest attack in Angwan Rukuba underscores persistent security vulnerabilities, particularly in urban and peri-urban communities.
Authorities are also contending with the challenge of preventing reprisals and ensuring that violence does not spread to neighbouring areas.
What’s being said
Idris said security agencies responded swiftly to the attack, with troops under Operation Enduring Peace deployed immediately following distress calls.
He noted that security forces cordoned off the affected area, secured access routes and launched targeted clearance operations to track down those responsible.
“Reinforced surveillance, increased troop deployments and joint patrols have been activated in high-risk areas to proactively neutralise threats,” he said.
The minister added that the Federal Government remained committed to dismantling criminal networks through sustained military operations and intelligence-led missions.
While describing the killings as regrettable, Idris maintained that the incident does not signify a breakdown of national security, but rather a criminal act being decisively addressed.
“There will be no safe haven for criminal elements anywhere in Nigeria,” he said.
He also disclosed that Nigeria continues to collaborate with the United States on security, with American personnel working alongside Nigerian intelligence agencies to strengthen tracking and response capabilities.
What’s next
The meeting between President Tinubu and Governor Mutfwang is expected to produce a comprehensive strategy to address the crisis and stabilise the state.
Meanwhile, the Plateau State Government has imposed a curfew in parts of Jos to restore order, as security agencies intensify operations and investigations into the attack.
Authorities say ongoing operations are already generating actionable intelligence aimed at apprehending the perpetrators.
Bottom line
The Federal Government’s swift intervention signals renewed urgency in tackling Plateau’s security challenges, as authorities move to contain violence, prevent reprisals and restore stability in the troubled region.
