President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday assured the people of Plateau State that the Federal Government will deploy an artificial intelligence-enabled network of over 5,000 digital cameras to help law enforcement agencies combat insecurity in the state.
The President, who gave the assurance during his visit to Jos, the Plateau State capital, commiserated with the government and people of the state over the March 29, 2026 gun attacks that claimed the lives of innocent citizens in the Angwan Rukuba district of Jos North Local Government Area.
“I promise you that this experience will not repeat itself,” he said.
Tinubu directed the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Waidi Shaibu, and the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to “unearth and find the killers” of innocent Nigerians.
He announced that the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijjani, will oversee the immediate installation of the security cameras in close coordination with the Plateau State Government and security agencies.
The installation will start in Jos and expand across Plateau State, building on systems already successfully deployed in Lagos and Enugu states.
Lamenting the pain caused by the latest violence, the President expressed dismay at videos depicting the attacks.
“It is only God that can give you joy and comfort,” Tinubu told families affected by the attacks at a meeting held at the arrival lounge of Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos.
“No amount of money can recompense for lost souls,” he added.
The President pledged that the government will do everything possible to ensure justice is served and provide comfort for bereaved families.
He directed the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Bernard Doro, to compile comprehensive data on those affected by the violence to ensure equitable distribution of government assistance.
Addressing leaders and stakeholders, President Tinubu emphasised the need for proactive measures to prevent future attacks.
“Why is the past not a source of lessons to us? I have listened to Jonah Jang, Wase, Lalong, Nentawe and Governor Mutfwang.
“Governor, you and I were elected on a promise of peace and security, not to comfort and create widows and widowers. We were elected to bring prosperity and inclusiveness as a government, to share hope and aspiration with everyone, and to lead our youth.
“I assure our youths who are represented here that I do not want to be here consoling and commiserating — I want to be here to establish peace,” he said.
Earlier, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, said the state had enjoyed relative peace before the March 29 incident, describing it as a temporary setback.
He commended security agencies for their efforts and expressed confidence in ongoing interventions.
“We will win this war against insecurity,” the governor said, adding that the administration inherited the challenges and is working to address them.
Mutfwang also thanked the President for approving the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards to complement the state’s security efforts.
Also speaking, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, appreciated the President’s visit, noting that the crisis had persisted for years.
Former governor of the state, Jonah David Jang, called for a special stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja to find lasting solutions, warning about the spread of violence into urban areas.
Another former governor, Senator Simon Lalong, emphasised that lasting peace would require collective action by Plateau residents, stressing that local cooperation is key to resolving the crisis.
Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Ahmed Idris Wase, called for stronger collaboration between air and ground forces, especially as the farming season approaches.
“In Wase and Kanke alone, last week we lost over 14 people, including a captain of the Nigerian Army,” he said.
By Deji Elumoye in Abuja
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