The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has commended the visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Plateau State following the recent killings in Angwan Rukuba, in Jos North Local Government Area.
In a statement issued on Friday, Yilwatda described the President’s visit as a demonstration of empathy, responsive leadership, and national solidarity at a time when residents of the state are mourning the loss of loved ones.
President Tinubu, who was received by Governor Caleb Mutfwang and other political, traditional and religious leaders, visited the state to commiserate with victims of the attack and assess the security situation.
The APC chairman condemned the killings, describing them as “inhuman, cowardly and reprehensible,” and warned that the continued loss of innocent lives in Plateau must no longer be met with routine reactions.
He stressed the need for coordinated and result-oriented efforts by relevant authorities to end the cycle of violence, urging community leaders to be vigilant and proactive in reporting suspicious activities.
Yilwatda suggested that many of the perpetrators may be operating within or around affected communities, exploiting local vulnerabilities to carry out attacks. He called for such individuals to be identified and brought to justice, insisting they must not be shielded by silence or fear.
The APC chairman also urged security agencies to overhaul their operational strategies, advocating the adoption of modern technology, including surveillance systems, drones, and intelligence-driven tools, to combat increasingly sophisticated criminal networks.
He noted that reliance on outdated security methods would continue to yield poor results, emphasizing that the protection of lives and property must now be driven by intelligence, precision, and accountability.
Yilwatda further highlighted the economic consequences of persistent insecurity in Plateau, warning that the state’s tourism and agricultural potential remain under threat due to recurring violence.
According to him, sustainable economic growth cannot be achieved in an atmosphere of fear and instability, adding that continued attacks could undermine opportunities for investment and youth development.
He called for a “whole-of-society” approach to restoring peace, urging collaboration among traditional rulers, religious leaders, political actors, youth and women’s groups, as well as security agencies.
During the visit, President Tinubu, alongside Yilwatda, Governor Mutfwang and other stakeholders, also met with families of victims of the Angwan Rukuba attack, offering condolences and assurances of government support.
The APC said the visit underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing insecurity in Plateau and ensuring justice for victims.
“The lives of Plateau citizens are sacred and non-negotiable,” the statement read, adding that perpetrators of violence must be apprehended and prosecuted.
The party reiterated its call for urgent and sustained action to end the bloodshed, stressing that Plateau must not be allowed to relive cycles of violence.
