By Duchess Ifeoluwa
The Presidency has clarified the circumstances that led President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to meet victims of the recent Plateau attacks at the airport in Jos, citing logistical constraints and competing high-level engagements as key factors behind the decision.
In a statement issued on Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency explained that Tinubu had initially scheduled two major engagements for Thursday, including receiving the President of Chad, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, and a planned trip to Iperu in Ogun State.
However, following a security briefing by Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, the President suspended his Ogun trip and prioritised a visit to Jos.
According to the statement, arrangements for the Jos visit were made overnight, with presidential logistics mobilised at short notice.
Despite this, the President was unable to reschedule his meeting with the Chadian leader, which focused on strengthening bilateral security cooperation between both countries.
The meeting reportedly extended longer than anticipated, delaying Tinubu’s departure for Jos.
Upon arrival in Jos, further logistical challenges emerged, particularly due to aviation limitations at the airport, which lacks navigational aids required for night operations.
The Presidency noted that the approximately 40-minute road journey from the airport to the city centre, combined with the need to return before dusk, made it impractical for the President to visit affected communities directly.
As a result, state and federal officials arranged for representatives of the affected communities to meet with the President at a hall adjoining the airport, enabling him to interact with victims and stakeholders within the available time frame.
The meeting, which included key security officials such as the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector General of Police, who had earlier visited Rukuba, identified as the epicentre of the violence, provided an opportunity for direct engagement with victims and local leaders.
The Presidency disclosed that Tinubu had earlier deployed a high-level delegation, including his Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement, to undertake preliminary security assessments and facilitate engagement with affected communities ahead of his arrival.
Beyond offering condolences, the President used the meeting to consult with critical stakeholders on addressing the root causes of the recurring violence in Plateau State, which has experienced decades of conflict resulting in loss of lives and property.
Tinubu assured the victims and community leaders of the Federal Government’s commitment to justice and lasting peace, promising measures to break the cycle of violence.
Among these measures is the planned deployment of 5,000 artificial intelligence-enabled surveillance cameras across the state to enhance security monitoring and aid the identification and arrest of perpetrators.
He also invited community leaders to Abuja for further consultations aimed at finding a sustainable solution to the crisis.
The Presidency described the airport meeting, which was broadcast live, as solemn and reassuring, noting that it helped boost public confidence despite criticism from some quarters over the unconventional setting.
According to the statement, Tinubu’s visit was not symbolic but a strategic engagement designed to foster inclusive dialogue and long-term peacebuilding, with the President emphasising that sustainable peace must be built through collaboration with the people rather than imposed by force.
