By Dennis Okechukwu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has clarified why he met victims of the recent Plateau attacks at the Jos airport rather than visiting affected communities directly, citing tight scheduling, security logistics, and aviation constraints.
In a State House press release issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency explained that the President had initially planned two engagements on Thursday—hosting Chadian leader Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno in Abuja and travelling to Iperu in Ogun State. However, following a security briefing from Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Tinubu suspended his Ogun trip and made urgent arrangements to visit Jos.
The statement noted that the bilateral meeting with the Chadian President, which focused on strengthening cross-border security cooperation, lasted longer than expected, delaying Tinubu’s departure for Plateau State.
Upon arrival in Jos, further logistical challenges emerged. Authorities explained that the airport runway lacks navigational aids for night operations, making it unsafe for late departures. With the approximately 40-minute road journey to Jos township and back, it became impractical for the President to visit affected communities and return before dusk.
As a result, government officials arranged for representatives of the affected communities to meet the President at a hall near the airport. Present at the meeting 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 also deployed a high-level delegation ahead of his visit to conduct security assessments and engage with local communities to stabilise the situation.
During the meeting, the President expressed condolences to victims, listened to their concerns, and reassured them of the Federal Government’s commitment to ending the cycle of violence in Plateau State. He also engaged with community leaders, promising justice and concrete action.
As part of new security measures, Tinubu announced plans to deploy 5,000 AI-enabled surveillance cameras across Jos to improve monitoring, identify perpetrators, and strengthen law enforcement response.
He further invited community leaders to Abuja for continued dialogue aimed at addressing the root causes of the long-standing conflict in the state.
According to the Presidency, the airport meeting, which was broadcast live, provided a solemn platform for engagement and helped reassure residents of the government’s commitment to peace.
The statement stressed that Tinubu’s visit was not merely symbolic but a strategic intervention focused on inclusive dialogue, noting that sustainable peace must be built collaboratively with local communities rather than imposed.