By SEKYEN WALSHAK
In response to the recent deadly attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, residents have expressed mixed reactions over the visit of President Bola Tinubu, voicing both cautious optimism and deep concerns about its potential impact.
The President scheduled a visit to Jos to commiserate with victims and families affected by the violence, a move many described as timely given the scale of grief and destruction left in the wake of the Sunday night incident.
For several residents, the visit represented a strong show of national solidarity. They believe that the presence of the President in a time of crisis sent a clear message that the Federal Government was aware of, and concerned about, the plight of the people.
Comrade Nanwul Daokuru, Youth Leader of Yantrailer, a neighbouring community to Angwan Rukuba, described the visit as both necessary and significant.
“In moments like this, the President’s presence sends a strong message of solidarity and concern to the affected communities. However, beyond condolences, our expectation is to see decisive and practical actions that will restore confidence and prevent further attacks,” he said.
He stressed that peacebuilding efforts already initiated by youth groups, particularly the Plateau State Youth Council in Jos North, should be strengthened.
According to him, grassroots initiatives remained critical in fostering unity and preventing conflicts before they escalated.
Nanwul further outlined key measures he believed the President should adopt to ensure lasting peace.These include strengthening intelligence gathering and early warning systems, ensuring swift justice and accountability for perpetrators, supporting grassroots peace initiatives, maintaining proactive security presence in flashpoint areas and addressing the root causes of the conflict through sustained and inclusive dialogue.
“Ultimately, peace will endure when every community feels seen and heard,” he added.
Similarly, Mr Nanbal Timothy, a resident of the Fudawa community in Jos North KGA, described the President’s visit as commendable, noting that such direct engagement was rare despite widespread insecurity across several states.
“This visit will help the President better understand the realities on ground. While many youths are dissatisfied with the current situation in the country, it is important to acknowledge this step,” he said.
Timothy expressed hope that engagements between the President, the state government and security agencies would lead to practical and lasting solutions.
However, he cautioned that beyond discussions, citizens expected tangible results.“It is evident that security personnel are overstretched, and the situation appears to be worsening daily. We hope this visit will produce meaningful outcomes,” he added.
However, not all residents shared this optimism.Mr Sumdi Daniel expressed scepticism about the impact of the visit, arguing that similar visits by past administrations have not translated into lasting peace.
“This is not the first time such incidents have occurred. From previous administrations to now, we have seen presidential visits during crises, yet the situation remains unchanged. To me, this visit may just be a formality,” he said.
He emphasised that while government intervention was necessary, the responsibility for peace also lay with the people.
“There is a persistent narrative that this crisis is rooted in religion. Unless we learn to coexist peacefully regardless of our differences, these issues may continue. Government should also promote reintegration and unity across communities,” he noted.
Daniel further advocated for the establishment of state policing, arguing that it would enable quicker and more effective responses to emerging threats at the community level.
Amid these varying perspectives, some residents also expressed dissatisfaction over how the visit was being conducted. They described it as condemnable that the President, who was on a solidarity and condolence visit, was reportedly meeting stakeholders at the airport rather than visiting Angwan Rukuba itself, the centre of the attack.
According to them, such an approach distances leadership from the realities on ground and denies the President a firsthand assessment of the destruction and urgent needs of the affected community, including basic amenities that could help prevent future occurrences.
Others also criticised what they described as the politicisation of the visit by some politicians in the state. They lamented that rather than reflecting the sober mood of mourning across Plateau, the visit was being turned into a political event, thereby undermining the gravity of the tragedy.
While opinions remain divided on whether the President’s visit will bring immediate peace to Angwan Rukuba, Jos North and Plateau State at large, many residents agree that it could serve as a starting point, provided it is followed by concrete actions, sustained engagement and a genuine commitment to justice and security.
As the state continues to mourn, the expectations of the people remain clear: beyond symbolic gestures, they seek accountability, protection and lasting peace.