President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday postponed a scheduled trip to Iperu, Ogun State, to prioritise a condolence visit to Jos, Plateau State, following attacks that left at least 27 people dead last Sunday.
The decision followed a briefing by Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang at the Aso Rock Villa, where he updated the President on the security situation in the state.
Also, the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, ordered the deployment of Police Mobile Force units and other tactical teams to Plateau State to strengthen security.
The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated, in a document titled “President Tinubu postpones Ogun trip, heads to Jos as he begins four-state visit,” that Tinubu would travel to Jos to commiserate with the state government and citizens over the attacks in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North.
From Plateau, the President will proceed to Lagos for Good Friday observances, and on April 4, he will travel to Ogun State to inaugurate the Gateway International Cargo Airport, two commercial aircraft, and the new edifice of the Federal Operations Unit of the Nigerian Customs Service along with its operational vehicles. He is also expected to inaugurate infrastructure projects in Lagos, including the Ojota/Opebi Link Bridge, the Lagos State Geographic Information System Building, the Multi-Agency Complex named after him, and a school complex.
Earlier, Governor Mutfwang said, “The President commiserates with the entire state, and as a matter of fact, he’s contemplating coming to the state personally to commiserate with the people. It’s something that has touched him personally, and he wants to show the people his love and affection for them.”
Tinubu had condemned the attacks in Jos and Kahir village, Kaduna State, describing them as “barbaric and cowardly” acts.
After meeting the President, Mutfwang told State House correspondents, “Unfortunately, we’ve not been able to lay hands on the attackers yet to know their identities and their motive.” He explained that the motives could only be determined after apprehending the perpetrators and assessing both victims and attackers.
He added that looters attempted to disrupt the fragile peace in Jos on Wednesday morning, but security forces calmed the situation by noon.
Mutfwang said, “We are seeing this as an act of criminality. It is barbaric. We condemn it. It is an act of terrorism, because whatever religion you belong to, it does not give you any basis to come and do the kind of actions that were done on Sunday.” He expressed optimism that the crisis would prompt more proactive security measures.
In response, the IGP deployed additional mobile police units, tactical teams, and intelligence operatives to prevent further breakdowns of law and order. Anthony Placid, the Force Public Relations Officer, said the IGP “has instructed all operational commanders to ensure visible policing and actively engage with vulnerable communities.”
The University of Jos evacuated students from hostels due to the worsening security situation. Emmanuel Madugu, Deputy Registrar, stated, “The Vice Chancellor, Prof Tanko Ishaya, has directed the immediate evacuation of students of the university from the hostels. The evacuation is facilitated by HE Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, who has provided transport services, fully authorised to carry out the assignment even within the curfew hours.”
The University of Jos Alumni Association, through its Global President Gad Shamaki, urged security agencies to enhance protection around campuses, hostels, residential areas, and access routes.
Meanwhile, Mangu Local Government Area imposed a fresh curfew from 8 pm to 6 am daily, effective April 1, to ensure residents’ safety.
The Plateau State Police also arrested a fake soldier in Jos North LGA. Alabo Alfred, Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the suspect would be paraded at the state headquarters.
