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ABUJA, NIGERIA — By Prime Brief Media

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued his strongest warning yet to those fuelling the persistent violence in Plateau State, vowing to deploy the full instruments of federal authority to bring perpetrators to justice. The President made the declaration during a high-level meeting with Plateau State leaders and stakeholders at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday, April 29, 2026.

The meeting, which included Governor Caleb Mutfwang and all living former governors of the state, was convened to address the escalating cycle of violence that has claimed dozens of lives in recent weeks, including the March 29 massacre in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area.

"No protocols, no hindrances. We are here to speak our minds and find a permanent solution to a recurring conflict and chaos," President Tinubu told the delegation, according to visuals provided by the State House Media Office. He challenged the leaders to examine their own roles in the crisis, stating, "If people are being recruited to provoke anger, conflict, and killings, it is you, the leaders, that should first of all examine yourselves."

N2 Billion Relief for Angwan Rukuba Victims

The President approved the immediate release of N2 billion in relief support for victims of the March 29 attack on Angwan Rukuba, a massacre that left over 30 people dead and sent shockwaves across the nation. The funds are expected to cover medical care, temporary housing, livelihood restoration, and trauma counselling for affected families.

Directive to Name Agents Provocateurs

In a significant escalation of the federal government's prosecutorial posture, President Tinubu directed Governor Mutfwang to formally identify and name individuals acting as agents provocateurs in the conflict. "If you identify and you know the name of troublemakers, agents provocateurs who want to continue killing or instigate killing, let us know. We will use the instrument of office to deal with them," the President stated.

The directive suggests that federal authorities are prepared to pursue criminal charges against individuals found to be inciting or orchestrating violence, regardless of their political connections or community standing.

Peace Committee of Former Governors

President Tinubu endorsed the formation of a newly assembled peace committee composed of former governors of Plateau State. He charged the committee with reviewing all existing white papers on the state's protracted conflict and returning with a consolidated set of actionable recommendations for government intervention.

"Consider this group as the committee until we find a lasting solution," the President said, signalling his preference for a locally driven peace architecture supported by federal backing rather than an externally imposed resolution.

Renewed Push for State Police

The President used the platform to renew his administration's push for the establishment of state police, describing it as the most relevant structural solution to Plateau State's peculiar security challenges. "Through the legislators who are here, we are going to work together to establish state police on a national scale," Tinubu stated.

The proposal for state police has been a subject of protracted national debate, with proponents arguing that it would enable faster response times and better community-level intelligence, while opponents warn of potential abuse by state governors. The President's remarks indicate that the administration intends to pursue legislative action on the matter.

Background to the Crisis

The March 29 attack on Angwan Rukuba was part of a wave of coordinated violence that has swept across Plateau State, with communities in Jos North, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bassa, and Bokkos Local Government Areas bearing the brunt of attacks linked to farmer-herder conflicts and criminal banditry. Despite the presence of Operation Safe Haven, a multi-agency military task force, communities have continued to suffer devastating losses.

The Plateau State Government has separately filed terrorism charges against five suspects arrested by the Department of State Services in connection with the Angwan Rukuba killings, signalling a multi-pronged approach combining legal accountability, security reinforcement, and humanitarian relief.

Prime Brief Media will continue to monitor developments in Plateau State and provide updates as the peace committee commences its work and relief efforts reach affected communities.

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