President Bola Tinubu has ordered the installation of over 5,000 surveillance cameras in Plateau State, following recent violent attacks in Jos. The directive was issued during a town hall meeting with political and traditional leaders in Jos, in the wake of the Palm Sunday attack in Angwan Rukuba that resulted in the deaths of more than 27 people.
“The Honourable Minister for Communication is here to assure you that we will immediately deploy a network of cameras to assist law enforcement agencies in identifying troublemakers instantly, over 5,000 of them,” Tinubu announced, inviting the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, to outline the plan.
While acknowledging that no amount of money can fully compensate victims for their losses, the President promised government support.
Tinubu also directed security agencies, including the Inspector-General of Police and the Chief of Defence Staff, to apprehend those responsible for the attack. “I thank the men and women of the armed forces, especially the police, for their efforts and upcoming actions. You must unearth and find the killers. I’m glad the IGP, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the Minister of Defence are here,” he stated.
He further announced plans to establish a committee tasked with assessing the losses suffered by victims and recommending appropriate compensation. “Once we return to Abuja, the committee, which will include the governor and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, will review the data and see what we can do to ease their suffering. We cannot replace human lives, but we will do everything possible to provide some comfort,” Tinubu assured.
During the meeting, Tinubu expressed his sympathies to victims, including Rhoda, a woman who lost her son in the attack. While emphasizing that the government could not bring back lost lives, he committed to supporting affected families.
The Minister of Communications, Bosun Tijani, revealed that the cameras would be powered by artificial intelligence and deployed across the state, starting with Jos. “The technology will enable real-time monitoring and quicker responses to security threats,” he explained.
Tijani added that Nigeria already has similar solutions operational in states like Lagos and Enugu, which are highly effective. He expressed personal anguish over the ongoing violence in Jos, which has persisted for over two decades, and assured that his ministry would prioritize efforts to curb the violence.
Plateau State has experienced recurring conflicts over the years, often driven by communal and ethnic tensions.