Presidency Clarifies Why Tinubu Met Plateau Victims Only at Airport

Presidency Clarifies Why Tinubu Met Plateau Victims Only at Airport

The Presidency has clarified why President Bola Tinubu did not leave the airport during his recent visit to Jos, amid public criticism. Officials said the decision was driven by tight scheduling, logistical constraints, and aviation safety concerns.

President Tinubu visited Jos North Local Government Area, where he met with families of victims killed in the Angwan Rukuba attack. Speaking to the bereaved, he said, “You have no light at the airport, and I have to fly back within the next 10 minutes. To the victims, there’s nothing I can give you, whether it’s money in millions, but console you and promise you that this experience will not repeat itself.”

The visit was attended by political supporters, traditional rulers, security operatives, and other stakeholders. However, Tinubu’s airport-only engagement drew criticism, with some accusing him of insensitivity toward grieving families.

In response, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, explained that Tinubu’s schedule on Thursday included receiving Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno at the Presidential Villa before traveling to Iperu in Ogun State. Following a security briefing by Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the Ogun trip was canceled, and an emergency visit to Jos was arranged overnight.

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Officials said logistical challenges made a town visit impractical. The airport runway does not support night flights, and the road distance from the airport to Jos township is about 40 minutes. These factors made it unfeasible for the President to visit the conflict site, meet victims in town, and return to the airport safely before dusk.

To ensure engagement, representatives of affected communities were brought to a hall adjoining the airport, allowing Tinubu to meet directly with victims, local leaders, and security officials. Among attendees were the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Inspector General of Police, who had visited Rukuba to assess security operations.

During the meeting, the President consoled victims, listened to their concerns, and assured justice would be delivered. He also promised the deployment of 5,000 AI-enabled surveillance cameras to monitor the city and enhance the identification and arrest of troublemakers. Furthermore, he invited community leaders to Abuja for additional talks on long-term solutions to recurring violence in Plateau State.

The Presidency described the visit as a strategic, high-level engagement aimed at addressing the root causes of conflict, rather than a symbolic gesture. Officials emphasized that Tinubu’s approach prioritized safety, efficiency, and direct interaction with key stakeholders while adhering to flight and logistical constraints.

Despite the criticisms, the televised meeting was seen as reassuring by residents, signaling the President’s commitment to peace, security, and community-driven solutions in Plateau State.

Presidency Clarifies Why Tinubu Met Plateau Victims Only at Airport