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President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday met with top security officials to review the recent killings in Plateau State and invited Governor Caleb Mutfwang to Abuja for discussions on the matter.

The attack, which occurred on Sunday in Angwan Rukuba community, Jos North Local Government Area, left at least 28 people dead and many others injured.

Briefing journalists in Abuja, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the incident as regrettable but emphasised that it does not indicate a breakdown of security.

He added that security agencies have launched clearance operations to prevent reprisal attacks and reiterated the Federal Government’s deep concern and condolences to the people of Plateau State.

According to the minister, the President’s meeting with security chiefs aims to assess the situation and implement decisive measures toward a lasting solution.

He said, “A few hours ago, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, held a high-level meeting with the nation’s top security and intelligence chiefs to review the situation and take further decisive steps towards arriving at a lasting solution. Following this meeting, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has been invited by President Tinubu to further deliberate and chart a coordinated path towards lasting peace and security.

“The outcome of the meeting between President Tinubu and Governor Mutfwang will be made public in due course. These actions underscore the seriousness with which the Federal Government is treating this matter and its firm commitment to ensuring that all necessary actions are taken promptly and effectively.”

The Minister also stressed, ”While this incident is deeply regrettable, it is important to place it in context. Plateau State has, over time, experienced localised security challenges linked to communal tensions and criminal activities. What occurred does not represent a breakdown of national security, but rather a criminal act within a known conflict-prone area—one that is being actively and decisively addressed by the authorities.

“The federal government has directed all security agencies to ensure that those responsible for this heinous act are identified, apprehended, and brought to justice. “There will be no safe haven for criminal elements anywhere in Nigeria. Ongoing operations are already generating actionable intelligence, and we are confident that those behind this attack will be held accountable.

“Let me reassure all Nigerians that the security situation in Plateau State is under control and is being actively managed. The Federal Government remains fully committed to protecting lives and property across the country, and we will continue to strengthen our intelligence capabilities, operational readiness, and inter-agency coordination to stay ahead of emerging threats.

“We urge all citizens to remain calm, law-abiding, and to cooperate fully with security agencies. It is also important to avoid the spread of unverified information that could heighten tensions or undermine ongoing efforts to restore peace.

“Nigeria’s unity remains strong, and we must not allow criminal elements to divide our communities. The Federal Government will continue to act decisively, in collaboration with the Plateau State Government and all relevant stakeholders, to ensure lasting peace and security.

“Nigeria will not yield to fear. We will protect our people, and we will prevail.”

The Minister also exonerated the security agencies, saying that they took swift action to contain the situation.

He said, “Let me assure Nigerians that security agencies responded immediately to the incident. Troops under Operation Enduring Peace were rapidly mobilised to the scene following distress calls.

“The military and other security agencies cordoned off the affected area, secured key access routes, and launched targeted search-and-clearance operations to track down the perpetrators. “These swift actions ensured that the situation was quickly contained and prevented further escalation.

“This response is part of a broader and sustained Federal Government security architecture in Plateau State and the wider North-Central region. The Nigerian Armed Forces have continued to carry out clearance operations and intelligence-led missions across vulnerable communities following attacks recorded in recent months. Reinforced surveillance and troop deployments have also been implemented in high-risk areas, supported by joint military-police patrols and strengthened rapid response mechanisms. “These coordinated efforts are designed to neutralise threats proactively and maintain stability.”

He also added, “At the national level, the Federal Government remains resolute in its commitment to security, as demonstrated through ongoing targeted military offensives and strategic deployments aimed at dismantling criminal and insurgent networks across the country. These efforts reflect a comprehensive and evolving approach to safeguarding lives and property.

“The Plateau State Government has also taken decisive and complementary measures in coordination with federal authorities. A 48-hour curfew was imposed in Jos North immediately after the incident to stabilise the security environment and support ongoing operations. The state government continues to work closely with security agencies to prevent reprisals, restore calm, and facilitate investigations.”

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The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed allegations that repentant Boko Haram members and other former insurgents were being recruited into the Nigerian military.

It insisted that individuals with criminal records are barred by law from joining the armed forces and other security agencies in the country.

The military also rejected claims circulating on social media that troops provided cover for perpetrators of the Palm Sunday attack on Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, describing the allegation as false and misleading.

Speaking during a virtual engagement hosted on X Spaces, the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brig.-Gen. Yusuf Ali, said the military’s deradicalisation programme for surrendered insurgents was strictly a rehabilitation initiative and not a recruitment channel.

“Once you have any criminal record, you cannot join the military or any security agency,” Ali said.

He explained that Operation Safe Corridor, introduced between 2015 and 2016 at the height of the North-East insurgency, was designed to manage surrendered fighters, particularly those coerced into joining terrorist groups, through structured rehabilitation and reintegration into civilian life.

According to him, participants underwent a multi-agency screening process involving the Ministry of Justice and other government and international partners before classification into low, medium and high risk categories.

“Only the low-risk group can be admitted into Operation Safe Corridor for rehabilitation; these are individuals the justice system has determined have no case to answer,” he said.

Ali added that the programme provides deradicalisation support, trauma counselling and vocational training such as tailoring, carpentry and farming to enable beneficiaries reintegrate productively into society.

He stressed that hardened fighters captured during operations are prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“The programme operates on a dual-track system: criminal justice for offenders and rehabilitation and reintegration for victims,” he said, adding that Operation Safe Corridor “is about rehabilitation, not recruitment.”

He further noted that reintegrated former insurgents cannot return to terrorist groups because they are often perceived as informants and risk being killed.

“They will be killed. The high-risk terrorists believe they are now government spies and will sell them out,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Enduring Peace in Plateau State dismissed allegations that troops provided cover for attackers responsible for the Palm Sunday killings in Angwan Rukuba community.

In a statement issued by the taskforce’s Media Information Officer, Capt. Chinonso Oteh, the military said troops responded promptly after receiving a distress call but found that the attackers had fled.

“At no point did troops provide any form of cover for the terrorist elements who carried out the unfortunate attack,” the statement said.

It added that four gun trucks were immediately deployed to the scene and that troops acted professionally to prevent further escalation of violence, a position corroborated by other security agencies and eyewitnesses.

The task force said an investigation confirmed the allegation by a community youth leader circulating on social media to be unfounded and warned that such claims could undermine troop morale and weaken cooperation between security forces and local communities.

“The public is requested to discountenance the comment, remain calm and continue to support troops with credible and actionable information,” the statement said.

It assured residents that troops, in collaboration with other security agencies, were pursuing strategies to apprehend those responsible for the attack and restore peace in the area.

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has expressed his readiness to collaborate with the Republic of Finland to enhance infrastructure, agriculture, and sustainable urban management within the nation’s capital.

Wike, made this disclosure on Tuesday, during a courtesy visit by the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Sanna Selin.
The meeting underscored a mutual commitment to deepening bilateral ties and exploring technical partnerships that align with the “Renewed Hope” agenda of the current administration.

During the visit, Wike highlighted Abuja’s rapid growth and the ongoing efforts to transform the city’s landscape through extensive infrastructural projects.

He emphasized that the FCTA is eager to leverage Finland’s expertise in specialized sectors to maintain this momentum.

“As a city, we are willing to cooperate with the cities of other countries to see how we can partner in terms of infrastructure and agriculture.

“You have already mentioned your willingness to provide support in infrastructure development, smart city technology, and green energy. We are very willing to partner with you in these areas,” Wike stated.

The Minister also assured the diplomatic community of the improved security situation in the FCT, noting that the administration remains committed to providing an enabling environment for international partners to carry out their duties safely. A key highlight of the discussion was the FCT’s urgent interest in modernizing its waste management systems. 

Recognizing Finland’s global reputation for environmental technology, Wike extended an invitation for specialized firms to engage with the administration.

“It would be a pleasure for us to have a discussion on waste management with any firm that has the right capacity to manage our waste; that is very, very key for us,” the Minister added.

Responding, the Finnish Ambassador, Mrs Sanna Selin noted that the relationship between the two nations has deepened significantly in recent months. 

The Ambassador emphasized that increasing trade and supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation are top priorities for the Finnish mission.

“Finland is one of the most digitized countries in the world, and we have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nigeria on digitalization and innovation.

 “We are also very advanced in water and waste management technologies, as well as circular economy solutions”, the Ambassador added.

She expressed hope that the expertise found in Finland’s capital region could be mirrored in the FCT through concrete bilateral projects, further expanding the economic and technical cooperation between the two regions.