After Jos Attack, FG to Mount 5,000 CCTVs for Surveillance in Plateau

After Jos Attack, FG to Mount 5,000 CCTVs for Surveillance in Plateau

President Bola Tinubu has unveiled plans to deploy over 5,000 artificial intelligence-enabled digital cameras across Plateau State as part of efforts to curb rising insecurity, following the recent killings in Jos.

The President made the announcement on Thursday during a condolence visit to Jos, where he sympathised with victims of the March 29 attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area, which claimed several lives.

“I promise you that this experience will not repeat itself,” Tinubu said, assuring residents of decisive federal action to prevent further violence.

He directed top security officials, including the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Waidi Shaibu, and the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to track down and prosecute those responsible for the killings.

Tinubu also tasked the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijjani, with overseeing the immediate installation of the surveillance system. The project, he said, will begin in Jos and later expand statewide, building on similar deployments in Lagos and Enugu.

Expressing grief over the attack, the President said no amount of compensation could replace lost lives, urging affected families to find solace in faith. He further directed the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Bernard Doro, to compile a comprehensive list of victims to ensure fair distribution of government assistance.

Addressing stakeholders, Tinubu stressed the need for proactive strategies to halt recurring violence in Plateau, urging leaders to learn from past crises and prioritise peace and unity.

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, described the incident as a temporary setback, noting that the state had enjoyed relative peace before the attack. He expressed confidence in ongoing security operations and reiterated the government’s commitment to restoring stability.

Mutfwang also thanked the President for approving the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards to bolster local security architecture.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, commended Tinubu for visiting the state, expressing optimism that the intervention would strengthen security and bring relief to affected communities.

Former Plateau governors, including Jonah Jang and Simon Lalong, called for a high-level meeting in Abuja involving political leaders and traditional rulers to develop lasting solutions to the state’s recurring crises.

Jang warned that the spread of violence from rural areas into urban centres poses a dangerous new dimension, while Lalong emphasised that sustainable peace must be driven by the people of Plateau themselves.

Also speaking, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase, highlighted the need for enhanced coordination between air and ground forces, especially as the farming season approaches. He noted that recent attacks in parts of the state, including Wase and Kanke, have continued to claim lives.

The President’s visit comes amid renewed concerns over insecurity in Plateau, with stakeholders expressing hope that the latest measures will mark a turning point in restoring lasting peace to the state.