Presidency Explains Why Tinubu Engaged Victims Of Plateau Attacks At Airport

The presidency has explained the circumstances that led to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu meeting victims of the recent Plateau attacks at a hall adjoining the Jos airport, rather than visiting the affected communities directly.

In a statement issued on Friday, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said Tinubu’s itinerary on Thursday was altered by a combination of diplomatic obligations and logistical constraints.

According to Onanuga, the president had initially planned two engagements — receiving Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno at the Presidential Villa and proceeding to Iperu in Ogun state — before a security briefing from Caleb Mutfwang led to a change in plans.

“After Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s briefing, President Tinubu suspended the trip to Ogun,” the statement read, noting that “overnight, the Presidential Villa made arrangements for the visit to Jos, with presidential assets quickly deployed.”

The presidency, however, said the president could not reschedule the visit of the Chadian leader, describing it as “a very important bilateral meeting focused on strengthening security collaboration between the two countries,” which “ran longer than expected, affecting President Tinubu’s scheduled departure for Jos.”

On arrival in Jos, further complications arose due to aviation limitations at the airport.
“While the road distance from the airport to Jos township is approximately 40 minutes, the runway does not support night flights due to the absence of navigational aids,” Onanuga disclosed.

He added that “the constraints made it unfeasible to drive into town, meet victims for on-the-spot assessment and return to the airport before dusk.”

As a result, authorities opted to bring representatives of the affected communities to the airport vicinity.

“Consequently, state and federal officials decided to bring representatives of the affected community to a hall adjoining the airport so the President could meet with them promptly while adhering to flight restrictions,” the statement noted.

Among those 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, described as “the epicentre of the conflict.”

The presidency said Tinubu had earlier deployed a high-level delegation to the area to lay the groundwork for his visit.

“President Tinubu deployed the high-level team to Rukuba, including the Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement, to undertake critical groundwork on security and community engagement, with a view to stabilising the area before his arrival,” the presidential aide further revealed.

He emphasised that the president’s visit was beyond a symbolic gesture, noting that it was “a strategic, high-level engagement aimed at bringing all stakeholders together to address the root causes of conflict and insecurity in the state.”

During the interaction, Tinubu met victims, listened to community leaders, and assured them of justice.

“He interacted with the victims, consoled them, and listened to them,” the statement said, adding that the president “assured them that the federal government would deliver justice and end the cycle of violence.”

Onanuga also disclosed that Tinubu announced new security measures, including the deployment of surveillance technology.

“He promised the deployment of 5000 AI-enabled cameras to monitor the city and enhance the identification and arrest of troublemakers,” the presidency explained.

The president also invited community leaders to Abuja for further engagement on lasting peace.

“Furthermore, the President invited the community leaders to Abuja for further talks on finding a lasting solution to the recurring violence in the state,” the statement added.

The meeting, which was televised live, was “solemn and reassuring,” and helped boost residents’ confidence despite criticism from some quarters.

Onanuga maintained that the president’s intervention sent a clear message on conflict resolution.

“He dropped an unmistakable message: sustainable peace must be built with the people, not imposed on them,” the statement concluded.