Presidency Clarifies Why Bola Ahmed Tinubu Addressed Plateau Victims At The Airport

The Presidency has defended the decision of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to meet victims of the recent killings in Plateau State at a hall adjoining the Yakubu Gowon Airport in Jos, rather than visiting the affected communities.

According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the arrangement was necessitated by flight restrictions and logistical challenges encountered during the visit. He explained that the airport runway does not support night operations due to the absence of navigational aids, making it impractical for the President to travel into Jos township and return before dusk.

The presidential aide noted that although the journey from the airport to the city centre typically takes about 40 minutes, the time constraints made a physical visit to the attack scenes unfeasible. As a result, government officials facilitated the movement of representatives from the affected communities to a nearby hall to enable the President engage with them promptly while adhering to aviation limitations.

The visit followed a deadly attack in the Angwan Rukuba area of Jos North Local Government Area, where at least 28 people were reportedly killed by gunmen during Palm Sunday, marking one of the most severe incidents of violence in the state in recent times.

The Presidency also clarified that the President’s delayed departure for Jos was due to a prior engagement with Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The bilateral meeting, which focused on security cooperation, reportedly extended beyond its scheduled time.

During his interaction with victims and community leaders at the airport venue, the President offered condolences and discussed measures to curb recurring violence in the state. He also addressed a grieving mother, Mrs. Rhoda, whose emotional video following the attack had circulated widely, expressing empathy and acknowledging the depth of her loss.

As part of the Federal Government’s response, the President announced plans to deploy over 5,000 AI-enabled security cameras across Plateau State, establish a committee to assess damages and facilitate compensation, and invite community leaders to Abuja for further dialogue. In addition, the Nigerian Army confirmed the deployment of over 850 troops to reinforce ongoing operations under Operation Enduring Peace.

However, the visit drew criticism from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who described the approach as insensitive to the plight of the victims. In a statement released through his aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that the President’s visit did not extend to the affected communities and failed to reflect the gravity of the tragedy. He further alleged that the trip appeared rushed, suggesting it was concluded to allow the President proceed to Lagos for the Easter holidays.

Despite the criticism, the Presidency maintained that the visit fulfilled its purpose by providing an opportunity for direct engagement with stakeholders and reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to ending the cycle of violence in Plateau State.