President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday met with families of victims killed in the Sunday attack on Anguwan Rukuba community in the Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State at the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Heipang.

The president commiserated with the families and the state over the loss of 28 persons to the attack, which left many others injured. Gunmen had invaded the community around 7.30 pm and shot indiscriminately, causing panic as people scurried to safety.

The families were gathered in a town hall meeting at the airport where the President addressed them and other key stakeholders, including the state Governor, Caleb Mutfwang; Chairman of the Plateau State Joint Chiefs & Emirs Council and Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba; former governors, Jonah Jang and Simon Bako Lalong; the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwada, as well as religious and community leaders.

President Tinubu assured the gathering that measures would be put in place to prevent a recurrence of the attack, adding that over 5,000 cameras would be installed across the state to assist the security agencies in apprehending the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

“There is nothing I can give: money or any other things, but to console you and promise you that this experience will not repeat itself. We will try our best to comfort you and work with you. The best solution is for Jos to be just the world that people like us grew up to know,” he said.

Based on the discussion with the leaders, President Tinubu said a committee, comprising the APC national chairman and the state governor as members, would be set up.

Promises without action won’t solve killings – Shariah Council

Meanwhile, the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has warned the federal government that promises without corresponding actions will not end the senseless killings of civilians in the country.

A statement signed by its Secretary General, Nafiu Baba Ahmad, condemned the recent killings in Plateau, noting that official reactions to such incidents had become painfully predictable and insufficient.

The SCSN said it is time Nigeria’s leaders and security agencies rose beyond rhetoric and demonstrated the political will and operational capacity required to end the killings.

The statement read, “The continued cycle of violence followed only by routine condemnations from authorities is no longer acceptable. Islam places the highest premium on the sanctity of human life, irrespective of religious or ethnic identity.

Normalcy restored

In the meantime, normalcy has been restored in Jos, following the breakdown of law and order in the area on Wednesday. This comes as security personnel from various security forces were deployed to various communities in the state capital to avert a repeat of the Wednesday crisis.

Daily Trust reports that irate youths had gone on the rampage on Wednesday, attacking innocent passersby after the 48-hour curfew was relaxed.

Our correspondent, who visited the state capital on Thursday, observed that business activities were gradually returning, with busy vehicular movements on the roads.

Soldiers, police, NSCDC officials, vigilantes and other security personnel were stationed along major roads and strategic positions to maintain law and order. Other security personnel also embarked on patrol to prevent escalation.

Sir Ahmadu Bello Foundation seeks lasting solutions

In a related development, the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation has strongly condemned the renewed wave of violence in Plateau State, describing the killings as senseless and deeply troubling.

In a statement issued by its Director-General, Abubakar Gambo Umar, the foundation expressed shock over the persistent attacks that continue to claim innocent lives and inflict hardship on residents of the state.

The foundation called on security agencies to urgently apprehend and prosecute those responsible for the attacks, stressing that justice for victims and their families remains paramount. It noted that beyond justice, affected families deserve adequate compensation and sustained support to cope with their losses.

4 killed in fresh attack

Four people were killed on Wednesday in fresh attacks on communities in Barkin Ladi, Jos, and Riyom local government areas of Plateau State.

The incidents happened days after gunmen on Sunday killed 28 people in Anguwan Rukuba, Jos North LGA, heightening tensions in the state.

The Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM) and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) traded accusations over responsibility for the latest attacks.

The BYM National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong, said gunmen attacked the Ban community in Barkin Ladi around 11 pm, killing two persons and injuring two others.

He noted that the shooting caused panic, especially among students of Plateau State Polytechnic living off-campus.

He added that in Riyom LGA, a 27-year-old resident of Du’a village, Amos Monday, was killed when gunmen ambushed youths between Baten and Du’a villages at about 8:15 pm.

In a separate account, MACBAN chairman in the state, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, confirmed the killing of two herders—Abdulrazak Salisu and Shafiu Idris—in Barkin Ladi and Jos South LGAs.

He said the victims were attacked while grazing and described the incidents as unprovoked.

“Abdulrazak Salisu was killed around the Airport General area at about 4 pm, while Shafiu Idris was killed in the Gero area around 5 pm and later beheaded,” he said.

Efforts to get official confirmation from security authorities were unsuccessful, as Operation Enduring Peace and the Plateau State Police Command had yet to respond at press time. (Daily Trust)