RismadarVoice Reporters, April 3, 2026
The Presidency has explained the circumstances which led President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to meet victims of the recent Plateau attacks at the Jos Airport, rather than visiting affected communities directly.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President’s schedule on Thursday had initially included receiving Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno at the Presidential Villa and a planned trip to Iperu in Ogun State.
However, following a security briefing by Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, President Tinubu suspended his Ogun trip, made urgent arrangements to visit Jos in response to the attacks.
According to the statement, the President’s earlier engagement with the Chadian leader, which focused on strengthening bilateral security cooperation, extended longer than anticipated, thereby delaying his departure for Plateau State.
Upon arrival in Jos, logistical and operational constraints made it impracticable for the President to travel into the city. The road journey from the airport to Jos metropolis takes about 40 minutes, while the airport lacks the navigational aids required for night landings and take-offs, making it necessary for the President to depart before dusk.
Given these limitations, government officials arranged for representatives of the affected communities to meet with the President at a hall near the airport to ensure timely engagement.
The meeting was attended by key security officials, including 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 violence. A high-level team, alongside the Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement, had also been deployed ahead of the President’s visit to carry out preliminary security and community stabilization efforts.
Beyond conveying condolences, President Tinubu used the opportunity to engage directly with victims and key stakeholders, as part of broader efforts to end the protracted cycle of violence in Plateau State.
He listened to victims’ accounts, interacted with community leaders, and assured them of the Federal Government’s commitment to justice and lasting peace. As part of measures to strengthen security, the President announced plans to deploy 5,000 AI-enabled surveillance cameras across Jos to improve monitoring and aid in the identification of perpetrators.
President Tinubu also invited community leaders to Abuja for further dialogue aimed at finding a sustainable resolution to the recurring conflict.
The Presidency described the visit as a strategic engagement rather than a symbolic gesture, emphasizing that the administration is focused on addressing the root causes of insecurity through inclusive dialogue and coordinated security efforts.
