President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appealed to residents of Plateau State to forgive him for failing to visit communities affected by recurring attacks during his previous visit to the state, particularly Angwan Rukuba in Jos North Local Government Area.

The President made the appeal while addressing supporters at the All Progressives Congress (APC) North-Central presidential campaign rally in Jos.

Tinubu acknowledged the devastating impact of insecurity on Plateau communities, admitting that his previous visit to the state was restricted to the airport, where he met some victims and received reports about the destruction.

“When I last visited, the other time, I was limited to the airport. Forgive me if you didn’t see me in the hinterland, but I saw the devastation. I got the report from the governor. I saw the horror in the faces of our people,” the President said.

He assured displaced residents that his administration would support the reconstruction of affected communities and facilitate the return of people forced to abandon their ancestral homes because of violence.

Tinubu also expressed condolences to families who lost loved ones, survivors of attacks and residents whose houses were destroyed, noting that Plateau State had suffered repeated violence since 2001.

The President said he had directed security agencies to take decisive action to restore lasting peace and stability across the state.

He further disclosed that 1,000 forest guards were undergoing training to strengthen security in rural communities and improve protection for residents.

Tinubu also said surveillance cameras earlier promised for Plateau State had been procured as part of efforts to improve security monitoring and intelligence gathering.

Calling for unity among residents, the President urged the people of Plateau to reject divisions based on ethnicity, religion, language and cultural differences.

“Living in different rooms and speaking different languages does not make us enemies of one another. We have to live together, we have to farm together, we have to build this Plateau and this country together,” he said.

The President’s remarks came months after the March 29, 2026, attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North, which left at least 20 people dead and several others injured.

During his April visit to Plateau, Tinubu met some affected families and stakeholders at the Jos airport but did not visit the affected community, a decision that attracted public criticism.

His spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, subsequently explained that the President’s movements had been affected by previously scheduled official engagements.

Tinubu’s latest appeal comes amid continuing concerns over insecurity, displacement and the need for sustainable protection of vulnerable communities across Plateau State.

President Bola Tinubu has appealed to Plateau residents to forgive him for not visiting attack-hit communities, promising reconstruction, the return of displaced residents and stronger security measures.