April 03, (THEWILL) — The Presidency has clarified why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not travel beyond the airport during his condolence visit to victims of recent violent attacks in Jos, Plateau State, citing a combination of scheduling pressures and logistical limitations.
According to a statement from the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s Thursday itinerary was tightly packed, beginning with the reception of Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The Nigerian leader had initially planned to proceed to Iperu in Ogun State after the meeting, but following a security briefing from Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, he suspended the Ogun trip and redirected his attention to Plateau State.
Despite swift overnight preparations and the deployment of presidential logistics, Onanuga noted that the President could not reschedule his engagement with the Chadian leader.
“The bilateral meeting focused on strengthening security cooperation between Nigeria and Chad, and it extended longer than anticipated, delaying the President’s departure for Jos,” the statement explained.
Onanuga further disclosed that upon the President’s arrival in Plateau State, further logistical challenges emerged.
“While the drive from the airport to Jos metropolis typically takes about 40 minutes, the airport runway lacks the navigational aids necessary for night operations. Officials determined that proceeding into the city would have prevented the President from returning before dusk.
“As a result, the engagement was relocated to a hall near the airport, where representatives of affected communities were brought to meet the President,” he explained.
The visit was attended by top security officials, including the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Inspector General of Police, all of whom had earlier conducted assessments at Rukuba, the epicentre of the recent violence.
Before Tinubu’s arrival, a high-level delegation, including his Senior Special Assistant on Community Engagement, carried out preliminary security assessments and liaised with local stakeholders to ensure a coordinated response.
At the airport meeting, President Tinubu interacted directly with victims and community leaders, offering condolences and listening to their concerns.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ending the cycle of violence in Plateau State and delivering justice for the affected communities.
As part of immediate measures, Tinubu announced plans to deploy 5,000 AI-enabled surveillance cameras across Jos, aimed at enhancing security monitoring and aiding the identification of perpetrators.
Additionally, he extended an invitation to community leaders to Abuja for further dialogue to address the underlying causes of the long-standing conflict in the region.
The Presidency stressed that although the visit was limited in mobility, it was a strategic engagement designed to foster inclusive dialogue and sustainable peace.
“The President achieved the purpose of his visit,” the statement noted, emphasizing that lasting peace must be built through collaboration with affected communities rather than imposed solutions.
Tinubu’s intervention comes amid heightened security concerns in Plateau State, with authorities and community leaders seeking a balance between immediate protection measures and long-term reconciliation efforts.
The deployment of technology-driven surveillance and continued engagement with local stakeholders signals a proactive federal approach to tackling insecurity in the region.
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