Why Tinubu addressed victims of Plateau attacks at Airport – Presidency

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Presidency has offered a detailed explanation for President Bola Tinubu’s decision to meet victims of the Plateau attacks at the Jos airport, insisting the move was dictated by operational realities, security priorities and a tight diplomatic schedule.

In a statement issued on Friday, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu had originally planned to proceed to Iperu in Ogun State after receiving Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno at the Presidential Villa.

However, he said following a security briefing by Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, the President altered his itinerary and opted for an urgent visit to Jos.

“President Tinubu suspended the trip to Ogun and made arrangements for the visit to Jos,” Onanuga stated, noting that presidential logistics were immediately activated overnight to facilitate the trip.

He explained that the bilateral meeting with the Chadian leader, centred on strengthening cross-border security cooperation, extended beyond its scheduled time, delaying the President’s departure for Jos.

According to him, the late arrival created additional constraints, particularly due to the limitations of the Jos airport.

“The runway does not support night flights due to the absence of navigational aids,” he said, adding that the approximately 40-minute road journey from the airport to the city centre made it impractical to meet victims at the scene and return before dusk.

“Given the time-sensitive nature of the visit, federal and state officials agreed to bring representatives of the affected communities to a hall adjoining the airport to enable the President engage them without breaching aviation safety protocols.

“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, identified as the epicentre of the recent violence,” he explained.

Onanuga noted that Tinubu had also deployed a high-level team ahead of his visit, including the Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement, to carry out preliminary consultations and security assessments aimed at stabilising the area.

Beyond offering condolences, the Presidency said the visit was designed as a strategic intervention to address the root causes of the recurring violence that has plagued Plateau State for decades.

“President Tinubu’s visit to Jos was not merely symbolic. It was a strategic, high-level engagement aimed at bringing all stakeholders together to address the root causes of conflict and insecurity,” the statement said.

During the meeting, the President interacted directly with victims, listened to their concerns and reassured them of the Federal Government’s commitment to restoring peace and delivering justice.

“He consoled them, listened to them and assured them that the federal government would deliver justice and end the cycle of violence,” Onanuga added.

Onanuga stated that in a major policy signal, Tinubu also announced plans to deploy 5,000 Artificial Intelligence-enabled cameras across Jos to strengthen surveillance, improve intelligence gathering and enhance the identification and arrest of perpetrators.

He said the President further invited community leaders to Abuja for expanded dialogue, signalling a shift towards inclusive, community-driven conflict resolution.

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

The Presidency maintained that the airport meeting, which was broadcast live, achieved its objective of reassuring residents and countering criticisms, insisting that the circumstances surrounding the visit demanded swift, pragmatic decisions rather than symbolic gestures.