In a decisive move to stem the tide of recurring violence in North-Central Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has announced the immediate deployment of an AI-enabled camera network to Plateau State.
The President, who visited the state on Thursday to commiserate with victims of the March 29 gun attacks in the Angwan Rukuba district, vowed that his administration would no longer tolerate the senseless loss of innocent lives.
The security initiative involves the installation of over 5,000 high-definition digital cameras designed to provide real-time surveillance and data to law enforcement agencies. This technological intervention will be overseen by the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijjani, in a strategic partnership with the Plateau State Government. The project aims to replicate the success of similar digital security infrastructures already operational in Lagos and Enugu states.
Zero Tolerance for Insurgency
Addressing a somber gathering of stakeholders and bereaved families at the Yakubu Gowon Airport, President Tinubu issued a stern directive to the nation’s top security brass, including the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector General of Police, to track down those responsible for the recent Jos North killings.
“I promise you that this experience will not repeat itself,” the President declared. “I do not want to be here consoling and commiserating I want to be here to establish peace. We were elected on a promise of peace and security, not to comfort and create widows and widowers.”
Lamenting the graphic footage of violence emerging from the region, the President emphasized that while the government would provide equitable assistance to affected families through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, no amount of financial aid could compensate for the lives lost. He challenged local leaders to reflect on why past lessons had not prevented current tragedies, urging a shift toward proactive prevention rather than reactive mourning.
A Unified Front for Lasting Peace
Governor Caleb Mutfwang described the recent violence as a temporary setback in the state’s journey toward stability. He expressed deep gratitude to the Presidency for approving the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards, a move expected to bolster rural security and protect farming communities. The Governor’s sentiments were echoed by former governors Jonah Jang and Simon Lalong, who both advocated for a high-level, closed-door summit in Abuja to address the root causes of the crisis.
Senator Simon Lalong noted that while security agencies play a role, the ultimate solution to this problem lies with the people of Plateau. This call for internal reconciliation comes amidst warnings from Ahmed Idris Wase, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who highlighted recent losses in Wase and Kanke, including a Nigerian Army captain, blaming sabotage for the persistence of the conflict.
As the Federal Government prepares to launch the AI-enabled surveillance project starting in Jos, the President’s visit has signaled a shift toward technological warfare against banditry and communal clashes, with the administration staking its reputation on restoring the Home of Peace and Tourism to its former glory.
