Why Tinubu met Plateau victims at airport – Presidency

The Presidency has explained why President Bola Tinubu met victims of the Plateau attacks at the airport instead of visiting the affected communities, citing logistical constraints and flight safety considerations.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the President’s itinerary was adjusted due to operational challenges and competing engagements.

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

Onanuga disclosed that following a briefing by Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the President had initially suspended his trip to Ogun State and arranged an overnight visit to Jos.

However, he noted that the meeting with the Chadian leader lasted longer than expected, affecting the President’s departure schedule.

“Upon arrival in Jos, the visit encountered logistical challenges. 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,” he said.

He explained that the situation made it impractical for the President to travel into town, meet victims, and return to the airport before dusk.

As a result, state and federal officials arranged for representatives of the affected communities to meet the President at a hall near the airport.

Onanuga added that senior security officials, including the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Inspector-General of Police, had earlier visited Rukuba, the epicentre of the attack, for an on-the-ground assessment.

He said the President had also deployed a high-level team, including the Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement, to support stabilisation efforts.

The presidential aide described the visit as strategic, aimed at engaging stakeholders to address the root causes of recurring violence in the state.

“Beyond expressing condolences, the President interacted with victims, listened to their concerns, and assured them that the Federal Government would deliver justice and end the cycle of violence,” he said.

Onanuga added that Tinubu also promised the deployment of 5,000 AI-enabled cameras to strengthen surveillance and aid security operations.

He further disclosed that community leaders had been invited to Abuja for continued dialogue on lasting solutions to the crisis.

Responding to criticism over the airport meeting, Onanuga said the President achieved the purpose of his visit.

“President Tinubu achieved the purpose of his visit, despite the naysayers’ attempts to ridicule it,” he said, adding that sustainable peace must be built through engagement with the people.

On March 31, gunmen attacked a bar in the Angwan Rukuba area of Plateau State, leaving at least 28 people dead and several others injured.