The Presidency has explained why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not leave the airport during his recent visit to Jos, Plateau State, following public criticism of his actions.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the government said the President’s decision was due to a combination of tight scheduling and logistical challenges, especially flight restrictions at the Jos airport.
The visit came after a deadly attack by gunmen in Angwa Rukuba, an area in Jos North Local Government Area, where several people were killed. The incident is part of a long-running pattern of violence in Plateau State, which has experienced repeated clashes linked to communal tensions and security challenges.
During the visit, President Tinubu met with families of the victims, but the meeting took place at a hall near the airport instead of at the scene of the attack.
Addressing those present, the President expressed sympathy and promised that efforts would be made to prevent a repeat of such violence.
“You have no light at the airport, and I have to fly back within the next 10 minutes,” Tinubu told the victims. “There’s nothing I can give you… but to console you and promise you that this experience will not repeat itself.”
The meeting was attended by political leaders, traditional rulers, and security officials. However, the decision to hold the meeting at the airport quickly drew criticism from many Nigerians, who felt the President should have visited the affected community directly.
Among those who criticised the visit was former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. Through his aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the event as lacking empathy.
He said the arrangement reduced a serious human tragedy to what he called a “choreographed spectacle,” suggesting that it focused more on appearance than genuine concern for the victims.
The criticism reflects a wider concern among Nigerians about how leaders respond to crises, especially incidents involving loss of lives. In recent years, public expectations have grown for leaders to show direct engagement and compassion during such events.
In response to the backlash, Onanuga provided details of the President’s schedule on the day of the visit.
According to him, Tinubu had originally planned to receive the President of Chad, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The meeting was described as important, focusing on security cooperation between Nigeria and Chad, particularly in addressing cross-border threats.
After that, the President was scheduled to travel to Iperu in Ogun State. However, following a security briefing from Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Tinubu decided to cancel the Ogun trip and instead make an urgent visit to Jos.
Despite the change, the meeting with the Chadian leader could not be postponed. The Presidency said the bilateral talks lasted longer than expected, which delayed the President’s departure for Jos.
Onanuga explained that upon arrival in Jos, the President faced serious logistical challenges.
He noted that the distance from the airport to the Jos city centre is about 40 minutes by road. However, the airport does not support night flights due to the absence of modern navigational aids.
This meant that the President had limited time to land, conduct his visit, and return before nightfall. According to the Presidency, it would have been risky for him to travel into the city and return to the airport within that time frame.
“As a result, it was not possible to visit the scene of the attack and return safely before dusk,” the statement said.
To manage the situation, officials decided to bring representatives of the affected community to the airport, allowing the President to meet them without violating safety protocols.
The Presidency stressed that the visit was not just symbolic but part of a broader effort to address the recurring violence in Plateau State.
Before the President’s arrival, a high-level security team had already been deployed to the area. This included the Chief of Army Staff, the Inspector General of Police, and the Minister of Defence, who visited the affected community to assess the situation.
Tinubu also used the meeting to engage with community leaders and listen to their concerns. According to Onanuga, the President assured them that the Federal Government would take steps to bring those responsible to justice and restore peace.
As part of these efforts, Tinubu announced plans to deploy 5,000 AI-powered surveillance cameras in Jos. The aim is to improve monitoring, identify troublemakers, and prevent future attacks.
He also invited community leaders to Abuja for further discussions on finding a lasting solution to the crisis.
Plateau State has faced repeated outbreaks of violence over the years, often linked to disputes between farming and herding communities, as well as ethnic and religious tensions.
Jos, the state capital, has been one of the main centres of these conflicts. Attacks like the one in Angwa Rukuba have led to calls for stronger security measures and more effective government intervention.
Successive governments have made efforts to address the problem, but lasting peace has remained difficult to achieve.
The Presidency’s explanation highlights the challenges of balancing multiple responsibilities at the highest level of government.
On one hand, the President must respond quickly to security crises and show support for affected communities. On the other hand, he must also manage diplomatic engagements and national duties that cannot easily be postponed.
In this case, officials say the President tried to do both by adjusting his schedule and making time for the Jos visit, even if it had to be brief.
Despite the explanation, reactions among Nigerians remain divided. Some people believe the President did his best under difficult circumstances, while others insist that more could have been done to show empathy.
As the situation in Plateau State continues to develop, attention will remain on the Federal Government’s response and its ability to prevent further violence.
For President Tinubu, the challenge will be to turn his promises into concrete actions that bring lasting peace to the region.
While the Presidency maintains that the visit achieved its purpose, many citizens will be watching closely to see what steps follow in the days ahead.