Presidency Explains Airport Meeting With Plateau Victims as Tinubu’s Visit Draws Reactions

The Presidency has defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to meet victims of the Plateau killings at a facility near the Yakubu Gowon Airport in Jos, rather than visiting affected communities within the city, citing operational and logistical limitations.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said the constraints surrounding the airport’s runway made it impractical for the President to travel into Jos metropolis and return in time for departure.

“Upon arrival in Jos, the visit encountered some logistical challenges. While the road distance from the airport to Jos township is approximately 40 minutes, the runway does not support night flights due to the absence of navigational aids. The constraints made it unfeasible to drive into town, meet victims for on-the-spot assessment 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 a deadly attack in the Angwan Rukuba area of Jos North Local Government Area, where gunmen killed at least 28 people on Palm Sunday, sparking national outrage and grief.

The Presidency also addressed questions surrounding the timing of the trip, explaining that Tinubu’s departure was delayed by prior engagements at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. According to the statement, the President had hosted Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno for a high-level bilateral meeting focused on regional security cooperation.

“President Tinubu’s itinerary for Thursday included two main engagements: receiving the Chadian President, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, and proceeding to Iperu, Ogun State. After Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s briefing, President Tinubu suspended the trip to Ogun.

“Overnight, the Presidential Villa made arrangements for the visit to Jos, with presidential assets quickly deployed. However, the President could not postpone the scheduled visit by the Chadian leader.

“The President of Chad was at the Presidential Villa for a very important bilateral meeting focused on strengthening security collaboration between the two countries. The meeting ran longer than expected, affecting President Tinubu’s scheduled departure for Jos,” the statement read.

Despite criticism over the airport-based meeting, the Presidency maintained that the visit fulfilled its purpose, describing it as a strategic engagement with victims, community leaders, and security stakeholders.

“President Tinubu’s visit to Jos was not merely symbolic. It was a strategic, high-level engagement aimed at bringing all stakeholders together to address the root causes of conflict and insecurity in the state,” Onanuga said.

During the interaction, Tinubu met with grieving families, including a woman identified as Mrs Rhoda, whose emotional video holding the remains of her son, Ayuba, had circulated widely.

“I know the pain. I see in the video how you buried your loved ones and the pain and agony in your heart. But it’s only God who can give you joy and hope. No amount of money can pay all of you back,” he said.

The President also announced a series of measures, including the planned deployment of over 5,000 AI-powered surveillance cameras across Plateau State, directives to security agencies to apprehend those responsible, and the establishment of a committee to assess damages and facilitate compensation for victims.

He further invited community leaders to Abuja for continued dialogue aimed at ending the cycle of violence in the state.

In parallel, the Nigerian Army confirmed the deployment of more than 850 additional troops to strengthen ongoing operations under Operation Enduring Peace.

Reinforcing the government’s position, the Presidency insisted the visit was purposeful and impactful. Onanuga added, “President Tinubu achieved the purpose of his visit, despite the naysayers’ attempts to ridicule it. He dropped an unmistakable message: sustainable peace must be built with the people, not imposed on them.”

However, the visit has continued to generate political reactions. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticised the approach, describing it as detached from the realities on ground.

“It is both shocking and deeply insensitive that several days after the gruesome killings of innocent citizens, the President’s so-called ‘on-the-spot assessment’ was reduced to a brief stop at the foot of his aircraft, never extending beyond the airport, never reaching the grieving communities, and never touching the pain of the victims,” Atiku said in a statement by his aide, Phrank Shaibu.

He further argued that the visit appeared rushed, alleging that it was shortened to enable the President proceed to Lagos for Easter engagements.

“It is both shocking and deeply insensitive that several days after the gruesome killings of innocent citizens, the President’s so-called ‘on-the-spot assessment’ was reduced to a brief stop at the foot of his aircraft, never extending beyond the airport, never reaching the grieving communities, and never touching the pain of the victims,” Atiku said, adding that the development “reflects a deeply troubling prioritisation in the face of national grief.”