The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his visit to Plateau State following the recent killings in Angwan Rukuba, described it as a strong demonstration of empathy, responsive leadership, and national solidarity.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, Yilwatda condemned the attack in Jos North Local Government Area in the strongest terms, labeling it “inhuman, cowardly, and reprehensible.”
The APC chairman said the recurring violence in Plateau State represents a national tragedy that must no longer be addressed with routine condemnation and temporary measures. He called for decisive, coordinated, and result-oriented actions to end the cycle of bloodshed.
President Tinubu, who visited the state to commiserate with victims and stakeholders, was received by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, alongside political leaders, traditional rulers, and community representatives.
Yilwatda urged community leaders across the state to be more vigilant and proactive in identifying and reporting suspicious activities, noting that perpetrators of such attacks are often embedded within or around affected communities.
“These criminals are not ghosts,” he stated, stressing that they must be exposed, apprehended, and made to face the full weight of the law.
The APC chairman also challenged security agencies to overhaul their operational strategies, emphasizing the need to adopt modern, intelligence-driven approaches. He advocated the deployment of advanced surveillance technologies, including artificial intelligence-powered cameras, drones, and real-time intelligence systems to combat increasingly sophisticated criminal networks.
He warned that continued reliance on outdated tactics would only embolden attackers, insisting that the protection of lives must now be driven by technology, precision, and accountability.
Highlighting the broader implications of insecurity, Yilwatda lamented its damaging impact on Plateau’s economy, noting that the state’s rich tourism potential and agricultural strength remain underutilized due to persistent violence.
“No economy can thrive where fear reigns,” he said, adding that ongoing insecurity threatens investment, prosperity, and the future of young people in the state.
He called for a whole-of-society response involving traditional institutions, religious leaders, political actors, youth and women’s groups, and security agencies to restore lasting peace.
During the visit, President Tinubu also met with families of victims of the Angwan Rukuba attack in an emotional show of solidarity, offering condolences and assurances of the Federal Government’s commitment to justice and security.
The APC maintained that the President’s visit goes beyond symbolism, signaling renewed urgency in tackling violent attacks and restoring peace in Plateau State.
Reaffirming the party’s position, Yilwatda declared that the lives of Plateau citizens are “sacred and non-negotiable,” vowing that those responsible for the killings would be brought to justice.
“Plateau deserves peace, healing, and protection,” he said. “And it must never be allowed to bleed like this again.”
