Tinubu Flays Killings in Plateau, Kaduna, Optimistic Security Agencies’ll Bring Perpetrators To Justice

* Describes attacks as an affront to all what Nigeria stands for

* Cautions section of media against reading religious meanings to the killings

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has condemned in strong terms the barbaric and cowardly attacks by gunmen in Angwan Rukuba district, Jos, Plateau State.

The president, in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, equally condemned the attacks on Kahir village in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Describing the attack on the community in Jos and the killing and abduction of wedding guests in Kaduna as an affront to all that Nigeria stands for, Tinubu assured Nigerians that the barbaric acts will not go unpunished.

According to him, “Anyone who will sneak under the cover of the night and kill defenceless citizens as done in Jos and Kahir village, is a heartless coward. By attacking soft targets in Jos, their objective is not only to cause harm but also trigger a spiral of reprisals and further bloodletting.”

He has directed security agencies to intensify all efforts to pursue the perpetrators and those spreading misinformation that can inflame tensions and further endanger lives.

The president cautioned some sections of the media, insinuating the attacks were religiously motivated. 

Tinubu reaffirmed that security agencies are actively addressing the situation and stressed that public cooperation is vital to maintaining peace and protecting lives and property. 

He stressed the need for communities to comply with evacuation, relocation and related advice and processes and also hailed the safe return of two of the  Kaduna victims.

The president said: “I urge our security agencies to be more proactive in preventing these attacks by acting on early warning intelligence. All the remaining abductees from Kahir village must be rescued immediately.

“I commend Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State for his efforts in containing the situation in Jos and Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State for supporting the rescue and containment efforts. I assure the people and government of the two states of my support.  I commiserate with the families of those killed and pray for the quick recovery of the injured. Our government is currently acquiring more sophisticated equipment to enable our security agencies to track and smash criminals, in real time, wherever they are.”