Tinubu Orders Crackdown on Plateau Killers, Approves ₦2bn Relief Package

Tinubu Orders Crackdown on Plateau Killers, Approves ₦2bn Relief Package

President Bola Tinubu has pledged to deploy the full instruments of federal authority against individuals and groups responsible for the recurring violence in Plateau State, warning that those identified as instigators or sponsors of unrest will face decisive government action.

The President made the declaration on Tuesday evening during a high-level meeting with Plateau State leaders and stakeholders at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he also approved a ₦2 billion humanitarian relief package for victims of the March 29 attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area.

The meeting, which lasted several hours and ended around 8 p.m., brought together Governor Caleb Mutfwang, all living former governors of Plateau State, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and political stakeholders, including the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda.

According to the Presidency, Tinubu told the delegation that his administration would no longer tolerate cycles of violence, urging leaders in the state to take responsibility in identifying those fueling conflict.

“No protocols, no obstacles; we are here to speak our minds and find a permanent solution to a recurring conflict and chaos,” the President said.

He stressed that tolerance, unity, and accountability among leaders were essential to ending decades of recurring communal clashes in the state.

Tinubu also issued a strong directive to state authorities to identify individuals allegedly responsible for instigating violence, warning that they would face firm government action.

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“If you identify and you know the names of troublemakers, agents provocateurs who want to continue killing or instigate killing, let us know. We will use the instrument of office to deal with them,” he warned.

The President added that anyone found to be recruiting or inciting violence would face the full weight of federal power.

He further called for fairness, justice, and ethnic inclusiveness in governance, insisting that peace-building efforts must be rooted in equity and mutual respect among communities.

At the meeting, the Federal Government approved ₦2 billion in humanitarian assistance for victims of the March 29 attack in Angwan Rukuba, where over 27 people were reportedly killed in a violent assault on returning worshippers.

The funds, according to officials, will be used to support displaced families, rebuild damaged property, and provide emergency relief to affected communities through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.

The approval follows Tinubu’s earlier promise during his visit to Jos on April 2, shortly after the incident.

Tinubu reiterated his support for the establishment of state police, describing it as a necessary reform to address Plateau’s persistent security challenges.

He urged federal lawmakers present at the meeting to work toward constitutional backing for decentralized policing, arguing that local security structures would improve response times and enforcement.

The President also directed the newly constituted Plateau peace committee—made up of all living former governors of the state—to review existing white papers on past conflict resolutions and present consolidated recommendations.

He encouraged flexibility in restructuring previous peace frameworks, stressing that ineffective committees should be dissolved or merged for better results.

“Forget those committees you mentioned to me; if it’s not working, it’s not working. Consider this group as the committee until we find a lasting solution,” he said.

The Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, urged the Federal Government to strengthen security deployments in the state, noting that existing forces were overstretched and required better equipment and manpower.

He also reiterated the need for the promised installation of thousands of AI-enabled surveillance cameras across Plateau State to enhance monitoring and early warning systems.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang described the meeting as historic, noting that it was the first time all living former governors of Plateau State were gathered together in a unified peace initiative.

He pledged full cooperation with the Federal Government’s peace efforts and emphasized the need to rebuild trust across ethnic and religious divides.

Former Deputy Speaker Idris Wase also highlighted drug abuse as a growing driver of insecurity in the state, calling for stronger enforcement measures.

Tinubu concluded the meeting by urging stakeholders to prioritize unity, warning that continued violence would only deepen poverty and instability in the region.

He also proposed expanded inclusion of non-indigenous communities in governance structures as part of broader reconciliation efforts.

The President reaffirmed that his administration is committed to ending violence in Plateau State and across Nigeria, stressing that peace and stability remain central to national development.

Tinubu Orders Crackdown on Plateau Killers, Approves ₦2bn Relief Package