The Presidency has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to meet victims of the recent Plateau killings at a hall near the airport rather than visiting affected communities in Jos township, citing logistical and flight safety constraints.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, explained that the runway at Yakubu Gowon Airport does not support night flights due to the absence of navigational aids.
According to him, this limitation made it impractical for the president to travel into Jos, visit affected areas such as Angwan Rukuba, and return to the airport before dusk.
“Consequently, 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,” the statement read.
The visit followed the deadly Palm Sunday attack in Angwan Rukuba, located in Jos North Local Government Area, which claimed several lives and left many residents grieving.
The Presidency also addressed concerns about the delay in Tinubu’s departure for Plateau State, explaining that the president had earlier hosted Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno at the Presidential Villa in Abuja for a bilateral meeting focused on strengthening security cooperation between Nigeria and Chad.
According to the statement, the meeting extended longer than expected, affecting the president’s travel schedule. Tinubu had initially planned to visit Iperu in Ogun State but cancelled the trip after receiving a security briefing from Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
Despite criticism over the airport-based engagement, the Presidency insisted that the visit achieved its objectives. It noted that the president met with victims, community representatives and key stakeholders, including top security officials, to address the underlying causes of violence in the state.
During the meeting, Tinubu consoled affected families, including a grieving mother identified as Rhoda, whose viral video drew national attention. He also announced the deployment of over 5,000 AI-enabled surveillance cameras across Plateau State and directed security agencies to apprehend those responsible for the attacks.
Additionally, the president constituted a committee to assess damages and provide compensation to victims, while inviting community leaders to Abuja for further dialogue.
The Nigerian Army also confirmed the deployment of additional troops under Operation Enduring Peace to strengthen security in the area.
However, the visit has continued to attract criticism from opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who described the engagement as insufficient and insensitive to the plight of victims.
Despite the backlash, the Presidency maintained that the visit was strategic and aimed at fostering long-term peace and stability in Plateau State.
