By Onoja Baba, Nigeria
The presidency has explained the circumstances that led President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address victims of recent attacks in Plateau State at the airport in Jos rather than visiting the affected communities directly.
In a statement issued on Friday, Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said the President’s schedule and logistical constraints influenced the decision.
According to the statement, President Tinubu had two major engagements on Thursday. One was receiving Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, President of Chad, at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja. The other was travelling to Iperu in Ogun State.
However, after receiving a briefing from Caleb Mutfwang, Governor of Plateau State, Tinubu suspended his Ogun trip and arranged an urgent visit to Jos to meet victims of the recent attacks.
The meeting with the Chadian leader, which focused on strengthening security cooperation between Nigeria and Chad, ran longer than expected and delayed the President’s departure for Jos.
Upon arrival in Jos, officials encountered logistical challenges. The airport runway does not support night flights due to the absence of navigational aids. With the road journey from the airport to Jos town estimated at about 40 minutes, officials concluded that travelling into the city and returning before dusk would not be feasible.
As a result, representatives of the affected communities were brought to a hall near the airport where the president could meet them promptly while observing aviation safety restrictions.
The gathering included key security officials such as the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Inspector General of Police, who had earlier visited Rukuba, identified as the epicentre of the conflict.
According to the presidency, the visit was aimed at engaging stakeholders and addressing the underlying causes of the long-standing conflict in Plateau State, which has led to repeated loss of lives and property over the years.
During the meeting, Tinubu expressed condolences to victims, listened to community leaders, and assured them that the federal government would pursue justice and work to end the cycle of violence.
He also announced plans to deploy 5,000 AI enabled surveillance cameras in Jos to improve monitoring and help security agencies identify and apprehend those responsible for attacks.
The President further invited community leaders to Abuja for follow-up discussions aimed at finding a lasting solution to the recurring violence in the state.
The meeting, which was broadcast live, was described by the presidency as solemn and reassuring to residents. Tinubu emphasised that lasting peace must be built with the participation of the people ra
ther than imposed on them.
categories
recent posts
NIGERIA: Sowore Defends Himself In Court, Seeks Judge’s Recusal In Cybercrime Trial
