Former governors Jonah Jang and Simon Lalong have pledged to unite in addressing worsening security challenges in Plateau State. The commitment was made on Thursday in Jos during President Bola Tinubu's visit, which followed a deadly security breach on Sunday in Anguwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government, that killed 28 people and injured several others. Jang described the attack as "one too many" and warned that rising insecurity was undermining economic prosperity and could be aimed at destabilising the 2027 general elections. He urged President Tinubu to hold a special session with Plateau leaders to proactively tackle the crisis.
Jang, who served as governor and later as senator for Plateau North, said every recent administration, from Joshua Dariye to current governor Caleb Mutfwang, has faced similar security threats. He declared that leaders must come together to resist attempts to sabotage peace. Simon Lalong, former governor and current senator representing Plateau South, echoed the call, recalling his experience as both Speaker of the State Assembly and governor during periods of intense insecurity. He stressed that unity among leaders could pave the way for lasting peace.
President Tinubu tasked security agencies with identifying and apprehending those behind the Sunday night attacks. He urged leaders to focus on delivering peace and development rather than offering condolences.
Jonah Jang's claim that insecurity is being used to sabotage the 2027 elections adds a political dimension to recurring violence in Plateau. Given that four consecutive governors have faced similar crises without lasting resolution, promises of unity alone are unlikely to shift the security trajectory. This pattern suggests that without concrete intelligence and operational reforms, even high-level pledges will amount to political theatre. For ordinary Nigerians in Plateau, the cycle of violence continues regardless of who vows to stop it.
