Why Tinubu Addressed Victims of Plateau Attacks at Airport – Presidency 

The Presidency has provided clarification regarding President Bola Tinubu’s decision to address victims of the recent attacks in Plateau at the airport in Jos instead of visiting the affected communities directly.

In a statement released on Friday by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, it was indicated that this choice was influenced by logistical and scheduling challenges.

The statement detailed that President Tinubu’s agenda for Thursday included a meeting with Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno at the Presidential Villa, followed by a trip to Iperu in Ogun State.

However, after a briefing from Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang about the situation, the President decided to cancel the Ogun State trip and organize an emergency visit to Jos.

The Presidency noted that the meeting with the Chadian president, which aimed at enhancing security collaboration, took longer than anticipated, contributing to the delay in Tinubu’s departure to Plateau.

The statement added that upon arrival in Jos, the President encountered further logistical challenges, as the airport runway does not support night operations due to the absence of navigational aids.

“President Tinubu’s itinerary for Thursday included two main engagements: receiving the Chadian President, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, and proceeding to Iperu, Ogun State.

“After Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s briefing, President Tinubu suspended the trip to Ogun. Overnight, the Presidential Villa made arrangements for the visit to Jos, with presidential assets quickly deployed. However, the President could not postpone the scheduled visit by the Chadian leader.

“The President of Chad was at the Presidential Villa for a very important bilateral meeting focused on strengthening security collaboration between the two countries. The meeting ran longer than expected, affecting President Tinubu’s scheduled departure for Jos,” the statement said.

Onanuga added that government officials consequently arranged for representatives of the affected communities to meet the President at a hall near the airport.

The Presidency also noted that security chiefs, including the Minister of Defence, Chief of Army Staff, and Inspector General of Police, had earlier visited Rukuba, identified as the epicentre of the violence.

It said Tinubu used the meeting to condole with victims, engage stakeholders, and discuss measures to end the recurring violence in the state.

The President further assured residents of the federal government’s commitment to justice and lasting peace, while promising the deployment of 5,000 AI-enabled cameras to strengthen security and help identify perpetrators.