The Presidency has defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to meet victims of the recent Plateau killings at a facility near the Yakubu Gowon Airport rather than visiting the affected communities.
In a statement issued on Friday, Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the arrangement was dictated by logistical and aviation constraints. He explained that the airport lacks navigational aids required for night operations, making it impossible for the President to travel into Jos metropolis and return in time for departure before dusk.
According to Onanuga, although the journey from the airport to the city takes about 40 minutes, the timing of the visit made such movement impractical. As a result, government officials opted to bring representatives of the affected communities to a hall adjoining the airport to enable the President engage them promptly.
The visit followed the deadly attack on Angwan Rukuba in Jos North Local Government Area on Palm Sunday, where at least 28 people were killed by gunmen, marking one of the most severe incidents of violence in the state in recent years.
The Presidency also clarified that Tinubu’s delayed departure for Jos was due to a prior engagement with Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The bilateral meeting, which focused on regional security cooperation, reportedly extended beyond its scheduled time.
During his interaction with victims and community leaders at the airport venue, Tinubu expressed sympathy and assured them of government intervention. He also addressed a grieving mother, Mrs. Rhoda, whose viral video after the attack drew national attention, acknowledging her pain and urging hope despite the tragedy.
The President announced a series of measures, including the planned deployment of over 5,000 AI-powered surveillance cameras across Plateau State, the establishment of a committee to assess damages and compensate victims, and an invitation to community leaders for further consultations in Abuja. Additionally, the Nigerian Army confirmed the deployment of more than 850 troops to reinforce ongoing security operations.
However, the visit has drawn criticism from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who described the approach as insensitive. In a statement issued by his aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that the President’s brief stop at the airport fell short of an on-the-ground assessment and did not reflect the gravity of the situation.
He further alleged that the visit was rushed to allow Tinubu travel to Lagos for the Easter holidays, calling it a misplaced priority amid national mourning.
Despite the criticism, the Presidency insisted that the visit fulfilled its purpose by enabling direct engagement with victims and stakeholders while reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to ending recurring violence in Plateau State.
