President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to meet victims of the Plateau attacks at the airport in Jos was shaped by urgent national responsibilities, security logistics, and a commitment to immediate engagement.
Statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, explains that the President’s original schedule for Thursday included receiving the Chadian President, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, at the Presidential Villa, followed by a trip to Iperu in Ogun State.
“However, after being briefed by Governor Caleb Mutfwang on the gravity of the situation in Plateau State, President Tinubu promptly suspended his Ogun trip and ordered immediate arrangements for a visit to Jos.
“Despite the urgency, the President could not reschedule the already planned bilateral meeting with the Chadian leader, which focused on strengthening cross-border security cooperation.
“The high-level talks extended longer than anticipated, inevitably delaying his departure. Upon arrival in Jos, further logistical constraints shaped the format of the visit.
Navigational aid lacking
The statement further explains that the airport’s runway lacks the navigational aids required for night operations, making late departures unsafe.
“With a roughly 40-minute road journey to the city centre, it became impractical to travel into town, meet victims, and return to the airport before nightfall.
“To ensure no time was lost, officials coordinated the movement of victims and community representatives to a facility near the airport, enabling the President to engage them directly within the available window.
It states that the visit was far from being symbolic as it was a carefully coordinated intervention.
“President Tinubu met with victims, listened to their experiences, and offered condolences.
“He also engaged security chiefs—including the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Inspector General of Police—who had already visited Rukuba, the epicentre of the violence, as part of advance efforts to stabilise the area.
Clear objective
The statement notes that the President’s broader objective was clear: to bring together stakeholders and confront the root causes of the decades-long conflict in Plateau State.
“He assured residents of justice and announced plans to deploy 5,000 AI-enabled surveillance cameras to strengthen security and aid in identifying perpetrators.
“In addition, President Tinubu invited community leaders to Abuja for continued dialogue aimed at achieving a lasting resolution to the crisis.
“The airport meeting, broadcast live, struck a solemn and reassuring tone, reinforcing public confidence.
“Despite criticism from some quarters, the President’s actions underscored a decisive message: lasting peace must be built through engagement with the people—not imposed from a distance,” the statement concludes.
