The federal government on Tuesday said the security situation in Plateau State is “under control,” despite the recent deadly attack on Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area that left dozens dead and many others injured.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this at a press conference in Abuja, where he conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s condolences to victims and assured Nigerians of ongoing efforts to restore peace.
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“The Federal Government expresses deep concern over the tragic attack in Angwan Rukuba… Let me reassure all Nigerians that the security situation in Plateau State is under control and is being actively managed,” Mr Idris said.
The government’s position comes amid public anger and grief following Sunday’s attack. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported how gunmen stormed a local beer parlour and shot at people indiscriminately.
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Mr Idris said security agencies responded swiftly to the incident, with troops under Operation Enduring Peace deployed immediately after distress calls.
“Troops were rapidly mobilised to the scene. The military and other security agencies cordoned off the affected area, secured key access routes, and launched targeted search-and-clearance operations,” he said.
According to the minister, the intervention helped contain the situation and prevent further escalation, while ongoing operations are yielding intelligence that could lead to the arrest of those responsible.
He added that the response forms part of a broader strategy involving “intelligence-led missions,” reinforced surveillance, and joint patrols across Plateau and other parts of the North-central region.
The minister disclosed that President Tinubu held a high-level meeting with security and intelligence chiefs to review the situation and take further steps.
“A few hours ago, the President met with the nation’s top security and intelligence chiefs… Governor Caleb Mutfwang has also been invited to further deliberate and chart a coordinated path towards lasting peace,” he said.
Mr Idris noted that the outcome of the meeting would be made public later.
Curfew, state-level actions
The federal government also acknowledged measures taken by the Plateau State Government, including the imposition of a 48-hour curfew in Jos North.
“The curfew was necessary to stabilise the security environment and support ongoing operations,” Mr Idris said.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang had earlier announced the restriction following the attack, while also visiting the affected community and promising justice for victims.
However, that visit had drawn criticism, with residents and public figures questioning his decision to address survivors from an armoured personnel carrier, a development that has sparked wider debate about leadership optics during crises.
The federal government maintained that the incident should be seen within a local context rather than as a systemic collapse.
“What occurred does not represent a breakdown of national security, but rather a criminal act within a known conflict-prone area,” Mr Idris said.
This position contrasts with concerns raised by civil society groups and residents, many of whom have pointed to recurring attacks in Plateau and other states as evidence of deeper security failures.
Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria, in a statement on Tuesday, described the killings as part of “a crisis of governance,” while the Nigerian Bar Association warned that repeated violence without accountability could erode public trust.
Mr Idris reiterated that the federal government remains committed to bringing perpetrators to justice.
“There will be no safe haven for criminal elements anywhere in Nigeria,” he said, adding that security agencies had been directed to identify and prosecute those behind the attack.
He urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information, stressing that cooperation with security agencies is critical.
“We must not allow criminal elements to divide our communities. Nigeria will not yield to fear,” he added.
The Angwan Rukuba attack is one of the latest violent incidents in the country. In recent weeks, suicide bombings in Maiduguri killed dozens, while attacks in parts of Kwara, Benue, and Zamfara states have also claimed many lives.
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