President Bola Tinubu's recent visit to Plateau State, following deadly attacks, particularly in the Angwan Rukuba community, has drawn both commendation and criticism. The Presidency, through Special Adviser Bayo Onanuga, clarified that the decision to address victims at the Jos airport instead of visiting affected communities was due to logistical and scheduling constraints. These included a prolonged bilateral meeting with Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno and the airport runway's inability to support night operations due to a lack of navigational aids, making it unfeasible to drive into the city for an on-the-spot assessment and return before dusk.

During his visit, President Tinubu expressed dismay over the violence and assured residents of the Federal Government's commitment to justice and lasting peace. He announced the immediate deployment of an artificial intelligence-enabled network of over 5,000 digital cameras to enhance security and aid in identifying perpetrators. This initiative, overseen by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijjani, will commence in Jos and expand across the state, building on systems already successful in Lagos and Enugu. Tinubu also directed the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Waidi Shaibu, and the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to "unearth and find the killers." Additionally, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Bernard Doro, was tasked with compiling comprehensive data on those affected for equitable government assistance. Governor Caleb Mutfwang also confirmed the President's approval for the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards to boost state security efforts.

The attacks, which claimed an estimated 28-30 lives in Angwan Rukuba, have been widely condemned. The Plateau State Advisory Council on Interreligious Harmony denounced the violence as "barbaric" and an "act of terrorism," urging the government to treat perpetrators as such and calling on citizens to resist division. Similarly, the United States-based Plateau State Association USA, Inc. (PSA-USA) described the killings as unacceptable, exposing critical failures in Nigeria’s security systems, and demanded urgent, decisive action from the Federal Government. PSA-USA called for comprehensive security reforms, including state policing, and accountability for perpetrators, stressing that early warning signs must be met with effective action.

However, the government's response has also faced significant criticism. Stanley Kavwam of the Middle Belt Forum accused the Nigerian government of complicity and inaction, particularly in failing to act on intelligence reports, including social media warnings that preceded the Angwan Rukuba attack. He highlighted the government's responsibility to protect lives and property, asserting that repeated failures and lack of accountability have emboldened perpetrators. Kavwam also linked the pattern of attacks to economic disruption and decried attempts to politicize the killings.

Local stakeholders echoed calls for intensified action. Governor Caleb Mutfwang described the March 29 incident as a temporary setback, expressing confidence in ongoing interventions and acknowledging the administration inherited security challenges. Former governors Jonah David Jang and Senator Simon Lalong called for a special stakeholders' meeting in Abuja and collective action by Plateau residents, respectively. APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda commended Tinubu’s visit, emphasizing that Plateau must "never bleed again" and advocating for modern surveillance, intelligence tools, and cooperation among leaders to restore peace and protect the state's economic potential.

In response to the unrest, Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu, led a high-level delegation of security chiefs on an on-the-spot assessment in Jos on April 2, 2026. Received by Governor Mutfwang, Shaibu received operational briefings and engaged with community leaders, reassuring them of the Nigerian Army's commitment to protecting lives and property. He urged citizens to remain calm, comply with curfews, and provide credible information, with the Chairman of Jos North Local Government Area, John Christopher, commending the intervention as vital for restoring public confidence.