“Plateau’s Former Governors Unite in Wake of Jos Killings, Call for Strategic Security Blueprint”

“Plateau’s Former Governors Unite in Wake of Jos Killings, Call for Strategic Security Blueprint”

Plateau State, Nigeria Former Plateau governors Jonah David Jang and Senator Simon Bako Lalong have publicly committed to a unified leadership front to confront escalating insecurity in Plateau State following a brutal attack that claimed dozens of lives in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area. The announcement came as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited the state on Thursday to assess the situation and meet with government officials and stakeholders.

The attack, which occurred on March 29, 2026 (Palm Sunday), reportedly killed at least 28 people and injured numerous others, marking one of the deadliest outbreaks of violence in the state in recent months. In statements during Thursday’s stakeholders’ meeting, both Jang and Lalong condemned the recent killings and emphasised the urgency of cohesive action to reverse the deepening security crisis.

Jang, a former governor and current federal lawmaker, described the most recent attack as “one too many” and lamented the persistence of violence that he said has undermined economic activity and the social fabric of Plateau. He warned that the spread of insecurity poses a broader threat to stability ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging political leaders and security agencies to deploy proactive measures.

Lalong, who succeeded Jang as governor and now represents Plateau South in the Senate, echoed his predecessor’s concerns, acknowledging that previous administrations grappled with similar security challenges but stressed the need for renewed unity among leaders to foster sustainable peace. Both leaders advocated for a special closed-door engagement with President Tinubu and key stakeholders in Abuja to map a strategic response to recurring violence.

President Tinubu, in his engagement with the leadership, expressed sympathy to the victims’ families and reiterated the federal government’s commitment to combating insecurity in Plateau State. He announced plans to deploy a network of more than 5,000 AI-enabled digital cameras across Plateau as part of an upgraded surveillance infrastructure intended to aid intelligence gathering and rapid response. The President also directed senior security officials, including the Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, and the Inspector-General of Police, to intensify operations aimed at identifying and apprehending perpetrators.

The ongoing insecurity has prompted responses beyond Plateau’s borders. The Senate of Nigeria earlier directed the Inspector-General of Police to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the Jos attacks, while security deployments, including additional police and military assets, have been reported to support operational responses in affected communities.

The situation remains fluid, with Plateau State’s governor, Caleb Mutfwang, reaffirming calls for deeper collaboration between federal and state authorities and an inclusive peace process involving traditional and community leaders.