The Presidency has explained why President Bola Tinubu addressed victims of the Plateau attacks at the airport, citing flight restrictions, logistical constraints and urgent security consultations.
The Presidency has explained that logistical constraints and security considerations informed President Bola Tinubu’s decision to address victims of the Plateau attacks at the airport in Jos.
According to the explanation, the President’s itinerary for Thursday initially included receiving the President of Chad, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, and proceeding to Iperu in Ogun State. However, after a briefing by Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Tinubu suspended the Ogun trip and opted to visit Jos.
Overnight, arrangements were made for the visit, with presidential assets deployed. The President, however, could not postpone the scheduled bilateral meeting with the Chadian leader at the Presidential Villa, which focused on strengthening security collaboration between both countries.
The meeting reportedly lasted longer than expected, affecting Tinubu’s scheduled departure for Jos.
Upon arrival in Jos, further logistical challenges emerged. The road journey from the airport to Jos township is about 40 minutes, but the runway does not support night flights due to the absence of navigational aids, making late departure risky.
Officials said the constraints made it unfeasible for the President to travel into town, meet victims at the scene and return to the airport before dusk. Consequently, state and federal officials arranged for representatives of affected communities to meet the President in a hall adjoining the airport.
Present at the meeting were the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector-General of Police, who had earlier visited Rukuba, the epicentre of the conflict.
The President also deployed a high-level team, including the Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement, to undertake groundwork on security and community engagement ahead of his arrival.
Beyond condoling with victims, Tinubu’s objective was to engage critical stakeholders on ending recurring violence in Plateau State and addressing the root causes of the conflict.
During the engagement, the President interacted with victims, listened to community leaders and assured them that the Federal Government would deliver justice and end the cycle of violence.
He also promised the deployment of 5,000 AI-enabled cameras to monitor Jos and improve the identification and arrest of perpetrators.
Tinubu further invited community leaders to Abuja for follow-up discussions aimed at finding a lasting solution to the recurring violence.
Officials said the meeting, which was televised live, was solemn and reassuring, adding that the visit was a strategic engagement designed to build sustainable peace through dialogue with affected communities.
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