The Federal Government has expressed deep concern over the recent violent attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, assuring Nigerians that the situation is under control and that decisive steps are being taken to restore peace and bring perpetrators to justice.
Speaking at a press briefing held at Radio House in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, conveyed the condolences of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government to the families of victims, as well as to the government and people of Plateau State.
Describing the attack as tragic and deeply regrettable, Idris said security agencies responded promptly following distress calls from the affected community. He disclosed that troops under Operation Enduring Peace were swiftly deployed to the scene, where they secured the area, cordoned off access routes, and commenced targeted search-and-clearance operations.
According to the minister, the rapid intervention helped to contain the situation and prevented further escalation of violence in the area.
He explained that the response forms part of a broader security framework already in place across Plateau State and the wider North-Central region, where security forces have intensified intelligence-led operations and sustained military offensives in recent months.
“The Nigerian Armed Forces have continued to conduct clearance operations across vulnerable communities, while reinforced surveillance and joint patrols involving the military and police have been scaled up in high-risk areas,” Idris said.
He added that these coordinated measures are designed to proactively neutralise threats and maintain stability in conflict-prone zones.
At the national level, Idris reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to tackling insecurity through a combination of strategic deployments and targeted operations aimed at dismantling criminal and insurgent networks across the country.
He revealed that President Tinubu had earlier convened a high-level meeting with the nation’s top security and intelligence chiefs to review the Plateau situation and adopt further measures toward a lasting solution.
As part of ongoing consultations, the President has invited Plateau State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, to Abuja for further deliberations aimed at strengthening coordination and restoring lasting peace in the state. Idris noted that outcomes of the meeting would be made public in due course.
The minister also acknowledged steps taken by the Plateau State Government, including the imposition of a 48-hour curfew in Jos North to stabilise the security environment and support ongoing operations. He said the state authorities are working closely with federal security agencies to prevent reprisals and facilitate investigations.
While condemning the attack, Idris urged Nigerians to view the incident within its broader context, noting that Plateau State has historically experienced localised security challenges linked to communal tensions and criminal activities.
He stressed that the incident does not indicate a collapse of national security but represents a criminal act in a known flashpoint, which authorities are actively addressing.
“The Federal Government has directed all security agencies to ensure that those responsible are identified, apprehended, and brought to justice. There will be no safe haven for criminal elements anywhere in Nigeria,” he stated.
Idris expressed confidence that ongoing operations would yield actionable intelligence leading to arrests and prosecutions.
He reassured citizens that the security situation in Plateau State is being actively managed and called on residents to remain calm, law-abiding, and supportive of security agencies.
The minister also cautioned against the spread of unverified information, warning that misinformation could inflame tensions and undermine ongoing peace efforts.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to national unity, Idris said Nigeria would not succumb to fear or division, emphasizing that authorities would continue to act decisively to safeguard lives and property.
“The unity of Nigeria remains strong. We will not allow criminal elements to divide our communities. We will protect our people, and we will prevail,” he said.
