In response to the recent murders in Jos, President Bola Tinubu issued an order on Thursday to deploy more than 5,000 security cameras throughout Plateau State.

Days after the Palm Sunday attack in Angwan Rukuba, which claimed over 27 lives, Tinubu issued the order during a town hall meeting with political and traditional leaders in Jos.

“The Honourable Minister for Communication is here to give you assurance that we are going to install immediately a network of cameras that will help the law enforcement agencies to identify the troublemakers instantly, over 5,000 of that,” Tinubu said, inviting Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, to explain the plan.

The President pledged government assistance while acknowledging that no amount of money could make up for victims’ losses.

Tinubu also ordered security authorities, such as the Chief of Defence Staff and the Inspector-General of Police, to apprehend the attackers.

“I thank the men and women of the armed forces, particularly the police, for what they are doing and what they are about to do.

“You must unearth and find the killers. I’m glad IGP is here. I’m glad the Chief of Defence Staff is here too. I’m glad the Minister of Defence is here,” the President stated.

The President announced plans to set up a committee to assess losses suffered by victims and recommend compensation.

“Immediately we return to Abuja, the committee, as mentioned, will include the governor and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs. Come see me. Take numeric analysis. You are a data person for the victims.

“Let’s see what we can do for their losses. We cannot replace human beings, but whatever we can do to give them minimum comfort, we will,” Tinubu said.

During the meeting, Tinubu sympathised with victims, including a woman identified as Rhoda, who lost her son in the attack.

He said the government will support impacted families even if it could not replace lost lives.

The artificial intelligence-powered cameras will be installed throughout the state, beginning in Jos, according to Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications.

He said that the technology will allow for quicker reaction to security concerns and real-time monitoring.

“We will work with the governor to ensure that we can deepen the digital infrastructure that we have.

“But on top of that, as well, we will have a network of artificial intelligence-enabled cameras all over the state, starting with Jos,” the minister stated.

Tijani emphasised that the promise was not empty, noting that similar solutions are already operational in other Nigerian states.

He said, “We already have similar solutions in states like Lagos. I think the latest one in Nigeria is in Enugu. I’ve been there. It works really well.”

The minister expressed personal anguish over the continued violence in Jos after more than two decades.

“It breaks my heart, personally, that this is still going on after so many years, and we will put everything under my ministry to support this cause,” Tijani declared.

Plateau State has witnessed recurring violence over the years, often linked to communal and ethnic tensions.

According to PUNCH