The Presidency has clarified why President Bola Tinubu met victims of the recent Jos attack at the airport rather than visiting affected communities directly.
In a statement on Friday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said logistical and security constraints, particularly at Jos Airport, informed the decision.
Originally, President Tinubu had planned to visit Ogun State after receiving the President of Chad, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno. However, following a briefing from Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the itinerary was adjusted to prioritise Jos.
“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,” the statement said.
Onanuga explained that the bilateral meeting with the Chadian leader, focused on strengthening security cooperation, ran longer than expected, affecting the President’s scheduled departure for Jos.
He added that operational constraints upon arrival in Jos prevented the President from travelling into the city and returning before nightfall.
“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,” Onanuga said. “These constraints made it unfeasible to drive into town, meet victims for on-the-spot assessment, and return to the airport before dusk.”
As a result, officials arranged for victims and community representatives to meet the President at a hall near the airport.
“State and federal officials decided to bring representatives of the affected community to a hall adjoining the airport so the President could meet with them promptly while adhering to flight restrictions,” Onanuga explained.
The Presidency also noted that top security officials, including the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector General of Police, had earlier visited the epicentre of the attack in Rukuba.
Onanuga emphasised that the President’s visit was strategic, aimed at engaging stakeholders to address the recurring violence in Plateau State.
“President Tinubu’s visit to Jos was not merely symbolic. It was a high-level engagement to bring all stakeholders together and address the root causes of conflict and insecurity in the state,” he said.
During the visit, the President interacted with victims, reassured them of the Federal Government’s commitment to justice and peace, and consulted local leaders.
The Presidency further disclosed that Tinubu promised the deployment of “5,000 AI-enabled cameras to monitor the city and enhance the identification and arrest of troublemakers.” He also invited community leaders to Abuja for further discussions on resolving the crisis.
Onanuga concluded that despite criticisms, the visit achieved its objective, sending a clear message that “sustainable peace must be built with the people, not imposed on them.”
