Why Tinubu addressed Plateau attack victims at the airport — Presidency

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu met victims of the Plateau attacks at the Jos airport due to a mix of scheduling demands and logistical constraints, the Presidency has said.

In a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the State House explained that Tinubu had initially planned to receive Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno in Abuja before proceeding to Ogun State.

However, following a security briefing from Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the President cancelled the Ogun trip and arranged a visit to Jos. The bilateral meeting with the Chadian leader, which focused on strengthening security cooperation, ran longer than expected and delayed his departure.

According to the statement, further challenges arose on arrival in Plateau. The Jos airport runway lacks navigational aids for night landings, while the journey to the city centre takes about 40 minutes. Officials determined that travelling into town and returning before dusk would not be feasible.

As a result, victims and community representatives were brought to a hall near the airport, where the President met with them. Senior security officials—including the Defence Minister, Chief of Army Staff and Inspector General of Police—were present, having earlier visited Rukuba, identified as the epicentre of the violence.

The Presidency said a high-level team had been deployed ahead of Tinubu’s arrival to assess the situation and engage affected communities.

During the meeting, the President expressed condolences, heard from victims and local leaders, and outlined measures to address the crisis. He assured residents of the federal government’s commitment to justice and pledged to deploy 5,000 AI-enabled surveillance cameras to strengthen security in the state.

Tinubu also invited community leaders to Abuja for further discussions aimed at finding a lasting solution to the recurring violence.

The Presidency described the visit as a targeted intervention focused on engaging stakeholders and addressing the root causes of insecurity in Plateau State.