President Bola Tinubu has assured residents of Plateau State affected by recurring violence that his administration will rebuild their communities and ensure that those forced to flee their homes can safely return.
The President gave the assurance on Saturday during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Jos, where he acknowledged the destruction caused by attacks across the state and promised stronger government intervention.
Tinubu also addressed criticisms surrounding his previous visit to Plateau in April, asking residents to forgive him for not travelling beyond the airport to visit communities affected by the violence.
He explained that although his movement had been restricted during that visit, he was aware of the suffering experienced by residents through reports from Governor Caleb Mutfwang and other sources.
The President said the situation had since improved enough for the rebuilding process to begin, assuring displaced families that they would not be abandoned. He also disclosed that he had directed security agencies to take firm action to restore lasting peace and stability across the state.
Beyond security and reconstruction, Tinubu appealed to residents to put aside ethnic, religious and language differences, insisting that such differences should not become reasons for division or hostility.
He urged communities to embrace peaceful coexistence, stressing that residents must work together to rebuild Plateau and protect their shared future.
The renewed promise comes against the background of years of violent attacks across Plateau, particularly in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Mangu and Bassa, where lives have been lost, homes destroyed and thousands of residents displaced.
One of the major incidents was the March 29 attack on Angwan Rukuba in Jos North, which reportedly claimed at least 27 lives.
Tinubu’s April visit to the state generated controversy after he met victims’ families and community representatives at a facility near Yakubu Gowon Airport without visiting the affected community. Opposition figures, including Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, criticised the decision, describing it as inadequate given the scale of the tragedy.
The Presidency later attributed the limited visit to logistical difficulties, including the President’s delayed arrival and restrictions on night flights.
With many displaced residents still hoping to return to their homes and resume their livelihoods, Tinubu’s latest pledge places renewed attention on the government’s ability to deliver lasting security and turn its reconstruction promise into reality.
