The Presidency has clarified why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu addressed victims of the recent attacks in Plateau State at the Jos airport, rather than visiting the affected communities directly.
In a statement released on Friday, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, attributed the decision to logistical and scheduling constraints.
According to the statement, President Tinubu’s schedule on Thursday initially included hosting Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno at the Presidential Villa, followed by a planned trip to Iperu in Ogun State. However, after receiving a briefing from Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang on the security situation, the President suspended the Ogun visit and arranged an emergency trip to Jos.
The Presidency explained that the bilateral meeting with the Chadian leader, which focused on strengthening security cooperation between both countries, extended longer than anticipated, delaying the President’s departure.
Upon arrival in Jos, additional logistical challenges emerged, particularly the airport’s inability to support night operations due to the absence of navigational aids. This, the statement said, influenced the decision to hold a meeting with victims and community representatives at a hall near the airport instead of proceeding to the affected areas.
Onanuga further noted that top security officials, including the Minister of Defence, Chief of Army Staff, and Inspector General of Police, had earlier visited Rukuba, identified as the epicentre of the violence.
During the meeting, President Tinubu condoled with victims, engaged key stakeholders, and discussed strategies to curb recurring violence in the state. He also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to justice and sustainable peace, announcing plans to deploy 5,000 AI-enabled surveillance cameras to strengthen security and aid in identifying perpetrators.
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