JOS, Nigeria — Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu faced criticism on Thursday, April 2, 2026 over the conduct of his visit to Plateau State following recent deadly attacks, even as he announced new security measures aimed at curbing violence in the region.
The visit came days after gunmen carried out attacks in parts of Jos, including an assault on March 29 that killed about 28 people and a separate incident in Kimakpa village in Bassa Local Council where more than 50 people were reported killed.
Criticism of Visit Format
Atiku Abubakar criticised the president’s handling of the visit, describing it as insensitive and disconnected from the experiences of victims.
In a statement issued by his spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, Mr Abubakar said the president did not visit affected communities or hospitals treating the injured.
He also criticised the decision to confine the visit to the airport and transport victims to meet the president at Heipang near Barkin Ladi.
“A leader who cannot stand with his people in their darkest hour cannot convincingly claim to be fighting for their safety,” he said.
He described the visit as an “on-the-spot assessment” that did not extend beyond the airport and reduced a tragedy to a “choreographed spectacle.”
Presidential Response and Security Plan
During the visit, Mr Tinubu said he had limited time in Jos, citing operational constraints at the airport.
He pledged to end the cycle of violence and outlined measures including the installation of more than 5,000 surveillance cameras across the city.
“This experience will not repeat itself,” he said, adding that the government would intensify efforts to bring perpetrators to justice.
“There is nothing I can give you, whether in billions, that can replace the lives lost. But we will do everything possible to ensure that such tragedy does not happen again,” he said.
The president also directed security agencies to identify and arrest those responsible for the attacks and ordered the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to assess the needs of affected communities.
Military Reinforcements
The Nigerian Army said it had deployed 850 additional troops to Plateau State from Abuja and Kaduna to reinforce ongoing operations.
The Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu, said the troops would support efforts to protect lives and restore order under Operation Enduring Peace.
International and Domestic Reactions
In the United States, Chris Smith condemned the killings, describing them as part of a “deeply disturbing pattern” and urging Nigerian authorities to take immediate steps to protect Christian communities.
“These savage killings, targeting Christians as they gathered during one of the most sacred times of the year, are incredibly heartbreaking and absolutely unacceptable,” he said.
Allegations and Wider Concerns
The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria alleged that the attacks may have involved foreign actors seeking to inflame tensions, though it did not provide evidence.
Its Secretary-General, Nafiu Baba Ahmad, said the pattern of violence suggested coordinated efforts to destabilise communities and called for stronger intelligence and security responses.
“The government must move beyond rhetoric and demonstrate the political will and operational capacity to end these senseless killings and prevent further escalation,” he said.
The developments highlight growing concern over security in Plateau State, where repeated attacks have intensified fears among residents and drawn both domestic and international attention.
