President Bola Tinubu on Thursday paid a condolence visit to victims of the recent killings in Jos, Plateau State, where he met and comforted a grieving mother whose pain had drawn national attention after a viral video showed her holding the lifeless body of her son.
The emotional moment happened during the President’s visit to affected communities following last Sunday’s attack in the Angwan Rukuba area of Jos, which left at least 27 people dead. The incident is one of several violent attacks that have continued to trouble parts of northern Nigeria.
While addressing victims’ families and community representatives, Tinubu spoke directly to the woman, recalling the heartbreaking video that circulated widely on social media.
“I know the pain; I saw how, in the video, you held on to your son, Ayuba, and the pain and agony in your heart,” the President said. “But it’s only God who can give you joy and comfort.”
The President acknowledged that no amount of financial support could replace the lives lost. However, he assured the victims that the federal government would not abandon them in their time of grief.
“No amount of money can pay all of you back,” he said. “As a government, we will do our best to comfort you.”
Tinubu’s visit comes amid growing concern over insecurity in Plateau State, a region that has experienced repeated outbreaks of violence over the years. The state, located in Nigeria’s North-Central zone, has often witnessed clashes linked to community disputes, land issues, and tensions between farmers and herders.
The latest attack in Angwan Rukuba has once again brought national attention to the fragile security situation in the area. Residents say such incidents have become too frequent, raising fears about safety and the effectiveness of security measures.
The President arrived in Jos earlier on Thursday and was received by top government officials, including the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda. The visit included meetings with community leaders, security agencies, and victims’ families.
Before the visit, Tinubu had already condemned the killings in Plateau State as well as another deadly incident in Kahir village in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State. In that attack, several wedding guests were reportedly killed and others abducted by gunmen.
In a statement released earlier in the week through his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the President described the attacks as “barbaric and cowardly.” He also promised that those responsible would be tracked down and brought to justice.
Security challenges have remained one of the biggest issues facing Nigeria in recent years. From banditry in the North-West to insurgency in the North-East and communal clashes in the Middle Belt, many communities continue to live in fear of sudden attacks.
Plateau State, in particular, has a long history of violent conflicts. These conflicts are often complex, involving disputes over land ownership, grazing rights, and political representation. In some cases, attacks have been wrongly framed as religious conflicts, which authorities say can worsen tensions.
During his remarks, Tinubu cautioned against spreading narratives that suggest the violence is driven by religion. He warned that such claims could deepen divisions and lead to further unrest.
Community leaders in Plateau have repeatedly called for stronger security presence and better intelligence to prevent attacks. Many residents also want the government to address the root causes of the conflict, including land disputes and economic hardship.
For the grieving families, however, the focus remains on coping with their loss. The viral video of the mother and her son captured the human cost of the violence in a way that statistics cannot fully explain. It showed the deep pain and trauma that many families are going through.
Civil society groups have also called on the government to provide not just financial support but also psychological care for victims. Experts say trauma counselling can help survivors deal with the emotional impact of such tragedies.
Tinubu’s visit is seen as a step toward showing empathy and federal presence in times of crisis. However, many Nigerians believe that beyond visits and statements, there is a need for lasting solutions that will prevent future attacks.
As the country continues to grapple with security challenges, the events in Plateau and Kaduna serve as a reminder of the urgent need for peace and stability. For now, families in affected communities are left to mourn their loved ones while hoping that justice will be served and such incidents will not happen again.