Why Tinubu Met Plateau Attack Victims at Jos Airport — Presidency Explains
The Presidency has explained the circumstances that led Bola Ahmed Tinubu to meet victims of the recent Plateau attacks at the Jos airport rather than visiting affected communities directly.
In a State House press release issued by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the decision was attributed to logistical and security constraints surrounding the President’s visit to Jos.
According to the statement, Tinubu had initially scheduled two major engagements on Thursday — receiving Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno at the Presidential Villa and travelling to Iperu in Ogun State. However, following a security briefing by Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the President altered his itinerary and arranged an urgent visit to Jos.
The bilateral meeting with the Chadian leader, which focused on strengthening security cooperation, reportedly lasted longer than expected, delaying Tinubu’s departure for Plateau State.
Upon arrival in Jos, further complications arose due to aviation limitations. The airport runway lacks navigational aids required for night operations, making it unsafe for late flights. With the road journey from the airport to the city centre estimated at about 40 minutes, officials concluded it would be impractical for the President to visit affected communities and return before nightfall.
As a result, representatives of the affected communities were brought to a hall near the airport, where the President held a meeting with them. Present at the engagement were top security officials, including 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.
The Presidency said Tinubu had earlier deployed a high-level delegation, including his Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement, to carry out preliminary security and community consultations ahead of his visit.
During the meeting, the President condoled with victims, listened to their concerns, and reassured stakeholders of the Federal Government’s commitment to ending the long-standing conflict in the state. He also announced plans to deploy 5,000 AI-enabled surveillance cameras across Jos to improve security monitoring and aid in tracking perpetrators.
Tinubu further invited community leaders to Abuja for continued dialogue aimed at finding a lasting solution to the recurring violence.
The Presidency described the visit as a strategic engagement rather than a symbolic gesture, noting that it helped boost public confidence despite criticisms from some quarters. It emphasized that sustainable peace in Plateau State must be built through inclusive dialogue and collaboration with local communities.
