Overwhelmed by the incessant unprovoked killings in Plateau State, the Federal Government has hinted on plans to deploy an artificial intelligence-enabled network of over 5,000 digital cameras to help law enforcement agencies fight insecurity in the state.
President Bola Tinubu dropped the hint on Thursday while addressing the people during his visit to Jos, the Plateau State capital, following the recent attacks that claimed the lives of innocent citizens in the Angwan Rukuba district of Jos North Local Government Area.
“I promise you that this experience will not repeat itself,” he said.
While commiserating with the government and people of the state, the President directed the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (Rtd), Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Waidi Shaibu, and the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to “unearth and find the killers” of innocent Nigerians.
President Tinubu, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced that the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijjani, would oversee the immediate installation of the security cameras in close coordination with the Plateau State Government and security agencies.
He said the installation would start in Jos and expand across Plateau State, building on systems already successfully deployed in Lagos and Enugu states.
Lamenting the pain caused by the latest violence, President Tinubu expressed dismay at seeing videos from Jos depicting violence.
“It is only God that can give you joy and comfort,” President Tinubu told families affected by the attacks at the meeting held at the arrival lounge at Yakubu Gowon Airport.
“No amount of money can recompense for lost souls,” he added.
President Tinubu pledged that the government will do everything possible to ensure justice is served and provide comfort for the bereaved families.
He directed the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Bernard Doro, to compile comprehensive data on those affected by the violence to ensure that government assistance is equitable to all.
Addressing leaders and stakeholders, President Tinubu emphasised the need for proactive measures to prevent future attacks.
”Why is the past not a source of lessons to us? I have listened to Jonah Jang, Wase, Lalong, Nentawe and Governor Mutfwang.
“Governor, you and I were elected on a promise of peace and security, not to comfort and create widows and widowers. We were elected to bring prosperity and inclusiveness as a government, to share hope and aspiration with everyone, and to lead our youth.
”I assure our youths who are represented here that I do not want to be here consoling and commiserating — I want to be here to establish peace,” he said.
The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, said the state had enjoyed relative peace before the unfortunate incident of March 29, describing it as a temporary setback.
He commended security agencies for their ongoing efforts and expressed confidence that their interventions will continue to strengthen security.
“We will win this war against insecurity,” the Governor said, adding that the current administration inherited these challenges and is taking all measures within its powers to address them.
Governor Mutfwang also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for approving the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards to complement the state’s security efforts.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, thanked President Tinubu for standing with the people of Plateau, noting that the crisis had lingered for a long time.
He expressed hope that the President’s visit would strengthen security agencies, stem the tide of attacks, and provide comfort to bereaved families.
“We will stay back and work with our people to find a lasting solution to the problem,” he said.
