Presidency Explains Tinubu’s Airport Meeting with Plateau Attack Victims

The presidency has clarified why President Bola Tinubu met victims of recent attacks in Plateau State at the Yakubu Gowon Airport rather than visiting the affected communities.

Tinubu was in Plateau on Thursday to commiserate with victims of the Sunday evening attack in Angwan Rukuba, located in Jos North LGA. During the visit, he met with stakeholders and some victims at the airport, a move that drew criticism from Nigerians who felt he should have gone directly to the affected areas.

In a statement issued on Friday, Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, said Tinubu’s tight schedule and logistical constraints informed the decision.

According to Onanuga, the president had earlier engagements in Abuja, including a meeting with the Chadian president, which could not be postponed due to its importance in strengthening security collaboration between both countries. Tinubu also had a planned trip to Iperu in Ogun State, which was later postponed after meeting Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang at the State House.

He added that the meeting with the Chadian leader lasted longer than expected, delaying Tinubu’s departure to Jos.

Upon arrival in Plateau, further challenges arose. Onanuga explained that although the airport is about 40 minutes from Jos city, the runway lacks navigational aids required for night operations, making late travel unsafe.

As a result, it was not feasible for the president to travel into the city, assess the situation on-site, and return to the airport before nightfall.

To address this, officials arranged for representatives of the affected communities to meet the president at a hall near the airport. The meeting included key security figures such as the minister of defence, the chief of army staff, and the inspector-general of police, who had earlier visited the scene of the attack.

Onanuga noted that Tinubu had also deployed a high-level team to Rukuba ahead of his visit to carry out preliminary security and community engagement efforts aimed at stabilising the area.

He said the president’s visit was focused not only on offering condolences but also on engaging stakeholders to find lasting solutions to the long-standing conflict in Plateau State, which has led to repeated loss of lives and property.

The presidency maintained that despite criticism, the visit achieved its intended purpose.