Why Tinubu addressed Plateau attack victims at airport — Presidency

The Presidency has explained the circumstances that led Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address victims of recent attacks in Plateau State at the airport in Jos, citing a combination of tight scheduling, security priorities, and logistical constraints.

In a statement issued on Friday, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said the President had initially planned two major engagements on Thursday — receiving Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno at the Presidential Villa and travelling to Iperu in Ogun State.

However, following a security briefing by Caleb Mutfwang on the recent violence in Plateau, Tinubu suspended his Ogun trip and made arrangements overnight to visit Jos in a show of solidarity with affected communities.

According to the statement, the President could not reschedule his meeting with the Chadian leader, which focused on strengthening bilateral security cooperation. The high-level talks reportedly lasted longer than expected, delaying Tinubu’s departure for Jos.

Upon arrival in Plateau State, further complications arose due to operational limitations at the airport. The Presidency explained that although Jos township is about a 40-minute drive from the airport, the runway lacks navigational aids required for night operations, making late-hour movements risky.

“These constraints made it unfeasible for the President to travel into town, meet victims at the scene, and return to the airport before dusk,” the statement noted.

As a result, government officials arranged for representatives of the affected communities to meet the President at a hall adjoining 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 attacks.

The Presidency disclosed that Tinubu had earlier deployed a high-level team, including his Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement, to the area to carry out preliminary security and peace-building efforts ahead of his visit.

During the interaction, the President commiserated with victims, listened to their grievances, and engaged community leaders on ways to end the protracted cycle of violence in the state.

Tinubu assured stakeholders of the Federal Government’s commitment to justice and lasting peace, while also announcing plans to deploy 5,000 artificial intelligence-enabled cameras across Plateau to improve surveillance and aid law enforcement.

He further invited community leaders to Abuja for continued dialogue aimed at addressing the root causes of the decades-long conflict.

The Presidency emphasised that the visit was not symbolic but a strategic intervention designed to foster inclusive peacebuilding.

“The meeting, which was broadcast live, was solemn yet reassuring, and helped boost public confidence,” the statement added.

It stressed that the President’s actions underscored his belief that sustainable peace must be built in collaboration with local communities rather than imposed from above.