President Bola Tinubu has postponed his scheduled trip to Iperu, Ogun State, where he was to flag off operations at the Gateway International Cargo Airport, opting instead to begin a multi-state visit with a condolence trip to Jos, Plateau State.

However, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau yesterday described the recent violence in the state as “barbaric” and an act of terrorism, assuring that the situation is under control following swift intervention by security agencies.

This was as the Executive Chairman of Mangu Local Council in Plateau, Emmanuel Mwolpun, imposed a curfew on Mangu Metropolis. The curfew takes effect from Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from 8.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m. daily until further notice.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has ordered the massive deployment of personnel to Plateau, with a clear directive to restore peace. He condemned the attacks in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Council, which claimed the lives of innocent citizens.

For the Easter celebration, the Federal Government has declared Friday, April 3 and Monday, April 6, 2026, as public holidays, according to the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Following an attack on Palm Sunday in Plateau, a number of Catholic dioceses in Nigeria decided to hold the Easter Vigil, which they describe as “Mother of Vigils”, earlier in the day, to avoid night celebration.

The change in itinerary, according to the Presidency, is in response to the recent wave of gun attacks in Plateau.

The President will visit Jos to commiserate with the state government and affected communities, and to assess the security situation firsthand.

From Plateau, Tinubu will proceed to Lagos, where he is expected to observe Good Friday and continue with Easter engagements. He will, thereafter, travel to Ogun on Saturday to commission the Gateway International Cargo Airport in Iperu.

During the visit, he will also inaugurate two commercial aircraft designated for cargo operations, a move aimed at strengthening logistics capacity and boosting trade and economic growth in the state. He will also commission the newly constructed Federal Operations Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), alongside its fleet of operational vehicles, as part of efforts to enhance border security and trade facilitation.

Returning to Lagos for the remainder of the Easter holiday, the President is also scheduled to commission a series of major infrastructure projects executed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

These include the iconic Ojota-Opebi Link Bridge, the Lagos State Geographic Information System Building, a Multi-Agency Complex named after him, and a newly completed school complex.

Tinubu will conclude his engagements with a visit to Bayelsa State on April 10, where he is expected to commission key projects delivered by Governor Douye Diri before returning to Abuja.

AFTER a meeting with Tinubu, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Governor Mutfwang said the state government had taken decisive steps to restore calm after the attacks on Sunday evening.

He disclosed that a curfew was imposed in the aftermath of the incident and partially relaxed from 8.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. on Tuesday.

However, he noted that security forces had swiftly contained an attempted breakdown of order by looters earlier in the day, assuring residents that the attack would mark a turning point in the state’s security response.

THE chairman of Mangu imposed the curfew after careful deliberation with heads of security operatives in the area, to safeguard the lives and property of residents amid prevailing security concerns.

In a statement yesterday by the Director of Press and Publicity to the Chairman, Jeremiah Dakahap, the local council urged residents to comply fully with the directive.

Mwolpun appealed to residents to conduct their lawful daily activities peacefully during the day and to report any suspicious movement or activity to the relevant security agencies.

IN a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), DCP Anthony Placid, the IGP commiserated with the governor and people of Plateau, particularly the affected families and residents of Angwan Rukuba community, over the unfortunate incident.

The IGP was said to have called on members of the public to remain calm and vigilant, to cooperate with security agencies, and to refrain from taking the law into their own hands.

“He further urges citizens to promptly report any incidents or suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities to support ongoing operations,” the statement reads.

THE interior minister, while declaring the holiday, congratulated all Christians in Nigeria and in the Diaspora on the joyous occasion of Easter, urging all to “imbibe the virtues of selflessness, forgiveness, forbearance and love as exemplified by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ”.

In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani, the minister encouraged Nigerians to remain committed to the values of tolerance and community that keep us together as a nation.

ON Palm Sunday, at least 27 people were killed in an attack on the Angwan Rukuba community in Jos North. After this incident, many Catholic dioceses across the country will no longer hold their Easter Vigil Mass at night. Rather, it will be celebrated earlier in the evening for security concerns.

The Diocese of Ondo released a statement on March 30 announcing Bishop Jude Arogundade’s decision to move the Easter Vigil up to 5,00pm on Holy Saturday.

The message, signed by the Diocesan Chancellor, Fr Michael Eniayeju, explains the reason for the shift, saying it is due to “the realities of our time, particularly the prevailing insecurity in our country and our State and in response to pastoral prudence and sensitivity” of the bishop.