Why Tinubu’s Trip To Plateau Ended At Jos Airport—Presidency

The Presidency has explained why President Bola Tinubu did not proceed beyond the airport during his condolence visit to victims of recent attacks in Jos, citing a mix of scheduling constraints and logistical limitations.

According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President’s itinerary on Thursday was tightly packed, beginning with the reception of Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Tinubu had initially planned to proceed to Iperu in Ogun State after the meeting. However, following a security briefing by Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the President suspended the Ogun trip and opted to visit Plateau State instead.

Despite swift overnight arrangements and deployment of presidential logistics, the statement said the President could not reschedule his engagement with the Chadian leader. The bilateral meeting, focused on strengthening security cooperation between Nigeria and Chad, extended longer than anticipated, thereby delaying Tinubu’s departure for Jos.

Upon arrival in Plateau State, further complications emerged. The Presidency noted that although the drive from the airport to the Jos metropolis takes about 40 minutes, the airport runway lacks the navigational aids required for night operations.

This, it added, meant the President would have been unable to return before dusk if he had proceeded into the city.

Given these constraints, officials opted to relocate the engagement to a hall near the airport, where representatives of the affected communities were brought to meet with the President.

The meeting was attended by top 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.

Ahead of the visit, Tinubu had also deployed a high-level delegation, including his Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement, to undertake preliminary security assessments and liaise with local stakeholders.

At the airport meeting, the President interacted directly with victims and community leaders, offering condolences and listening to their concerns. He assured them of the Federal Government’s commitment to ending the cycle of violence and delivering justice.

As part of immediate measures, Tinubu announced plans to deploy 5,000 AI-enabled surveillance cameras across Jos to improve security monitoring and aid in identifying perpetrators of violence.

He also invited community leaders to Abuja for further dialogue aimed at addressing the root causes of the long-standing conflict in Plateau State.

The Presidency stressed that the visit, though limited in movement, was not merely symbolic but a strategic engagement designed to foster inclusive dialogue and sustainable peace in the region.

“The President achieved the purpose of his visit,” the statement noted, emphasising that lasting peace must be built through collaboration with affected communities rather than imposed solutions.