Inside Story: Presidency Reveals Reason Behind Tinubu’s Airport Address To Plateau Victims

The Presidency on Friday defended the decision of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to meet victims of the recent Plateau State killings at a hall near the Yakubu Gowon Airport, rather than visiting the affected communities in Jos township.

According to the Presidency, the arrangement was influenced by flight limitations and logistical challenges.

In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, it was explained that the airport runway does not support night operations due to the absence of navigational aids. This made it difficult for the President to travel into the city, meet victims at the scene, and return before nightfall.

The statement noted that officials therefore opted to bring representatives of the affected communities to a location near the airport, allowing the President to meet with them promptly while respecting flight constraints.

The visit followed the deadly attack in the Angwan Rukuba area of Jos North Local Government Area, where gunmen killed at least 28 people during the Palm Sunday incident.

The Presidency also clarified that Tinubu’s delayed departure to Jos was due to a prior engagement with Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno at the Presidential Villa, which ran longer than expected.

During the visit, Tinubu consoled victims and held discussions with community leaders on measures to address the ongoing violence. He also spoke with a grieving mother, expressing sympathy and acknowledging her loss while emphasising that only God could provide comfort and healing.

The President announced several interventions, including the deployment of advanced security surveillance systems across Plateau State, the establishment of a committee to assess damages and provide compensation, and further consultations with community leaders in Abuja.

The Nigerian Army also confirmed the deployment of additional troops to strengthen security operations in the region.

However, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticised the visit, describing it as lacking sensitivity and saying it did not adequately reflect the severity of the tragedy, as it did not involve direct engagement with the affected communities.

He further alleged that the visit was brief to allow the President to travel to Lagos for Easter celebrations, a claim the Presidency did not accept.

The Presidency maintained that the visit fulfilled its purpose, stressing that it enabled engagement with stakeholders and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to restoring peace and security in Plateau State.