2027 Elections: Tinubu Seeks Forgiveness From Plateau Communities Destroyed By Violence Over Failure On Security

 

The President said he had received reports from Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, about the destruction caused by the violence and had seen the suffering reflected in the faces of affected residents.

President Bola Tinubu has pledged to rebuild communities in Plateau State ravaged by recurring violence and ensure the safe return of residents displaced by attacks, while appealing to the people of the state to forgive him for failing to visit affected communities during his previous trip in April.

Tinubu made the pledge on Saturday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Jos, where he acknowledged that his previous visit to the state was limited to the airport, despite the devastation and suffering caused by attacks in several communities.

The President said he had received reports from Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, about the destruction caused by the violence and had seen the suffering reflected in the faces of affected residents.

“When I last visited the other time, I was limited to the airport. Forgive me if you didn’t see me in the hinterland, but I saw the devastation. I got the report from the governor. I saw horror in the faces of our people,” Tinubu said.

He assured displaced residents that his administration would rebuild their communities and facilitate their return, adding that he had directed security agencies to take decisive measures to restore and sustain peace in the state.

“But since then, that has changed. We are forging together. It is now that we can rebuild and I assure those displaced that we will rebuild your communities.

“We will rebuild your communities, and we will bring you back to your community. I have directed all the security agencies to take decisive action and sustain peace and stability on the Plateau,” he added.

Tinubu also appealed to residents to embrace unity and put aside ethnic, linguistic and other differences, insisting that such differences should not turn people living in the same state into enemies.

According to him, residents must recognise their shared humanity and work together to rebuild Plateau State and Nigeria.

“We are one single family created by the same God Almighty. We are just living in different rooms, speaking different languages and behaving any way we want.

“But living in different rooms and speaking different languages does not make us enemies of one another. We have to live together. We have to farm together.

“We have to build this Plateau and this country together. It is our responsibility to tie our horns, behave as brothers and sisters, belonging to the same God Almighty,” the President said.

Tinubu’s remarks come approximately seven months after his controversial visit to Plateau State in April, following the March 29 attack on Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area, where at least 27 people were reportedly killed.

During that visit, the President met with families of victims, community leaders, traditional rulers and other stakeholders at a facility close to the Yakubu Gowon Airport in Heipang, rather than travelling into Jos or visiting the affected Angwan Rukuba community.

His decision not to visit the attack site attracted criticism from opposition politicians, who questioned the nature of his engagement with residents affected by the violence.

Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, criticised the airport meeting, describing it as a failure of leadership and arguing that the President should have visited the affected community to personally identify with grieving families and survivors.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar also condemned the limited nature of the visit, describing it as insensitive to residents who were mourning loved ones and dealing with the consequences of the attack.

The Presidency subsequently defended Tinubu’s decision, explaining that logistical challenges, including his delayed arrival and restrictions on night flights at the airport, made it difficult for him to travel into the city and return before dusk.

Plateau State has continued to experience recurring violent attacks, particularly in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Mangu and Bassa local government areas, leaving scores of people dead, destroying homes and properties and forcing thousands of residents from their communities.

The persistent insecurity has also severely affected agricultural activities and other economic livelihoods, as many displaced residents have been unable to return to their homes and farmlands for fear of further attacks.

Affected communities have repeatedly called on the Federal Government and security agencies to strengthen security operations, protect vulnerable communities, bring perpetrators of attacks to justice and ensure the safe and dignified return of displaced residents.

Tinubu’s latest pledge to rebuild destroyed communities and facilitate the return of displaced residents comes amid continuing concerns over the government’s handling of insecurity in Plateau State and the need for concrete action to translate repeated assurances of peace into lasting security for affected communities.

SOURCE: SAHARA REPORTERS