The Presidency has explained why President Bola Tinubu addressed victims of the recent Plateau attacks at the airport in Jos instead of visiting affected communities.
In a statement issued on Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, it said logistical and scheduling constraints informed the decision.
According to the statement, Tinubu’s schedule on Thursday included receiving Chadian President, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, at the Presidential Villa before proceeding to Iperu in Ogun State.
However, the Presidency explained that after being briefed by Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the President suspended the Ogun trip and arranged an emergency visit to Jos.
The Presidency said the bilateral meeting with the Chadian leader, which focused on strengthening security cooperation, lasted longer than expected and delayed Tinubu’s departure for Plateau.
It added that upon arrival in Jos, the President faced further logistical challenges, noting that the airport runway does not support night operations due to lack of navigational aids.
“President Tinubu’s itinerary for Thursday included two main engagements: receiving the Chadian President, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, and proceeding to Iperu, Ogun State. After Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s briefing, President Tinubu suspended the trip to Ogun. Overnight, the Presidential Villa made arrangements for the visit to Jos, with presidential assets quickly deployed. However, the President could not postpone the scheduled visit by the Chadian leader.
“The President of Chad was at the Presidential Villa for a very important bilateral meeting focused on strengthening security collaboration between the two countries. The meeting ran longer than expected, affecting President Tinubu’s scheduled departure for Jos,” the statement said.
Onanuga added that as a result, government officials arranged for representatives of the affected communities to meet the President at a hall near the airport.
The Presidency noted that security chiefs, including the Minister of Defence, Chief of Army Staff and Inspector General of Police, had earlier visited Rukuba, identified as the epicentre of the violence.
It said Tinubu used the meeting to condole with victims, engage stakeholders and discuss measures to end recurring violence in the state.
The President also assured residents of the Federal Government’s commitment to justice and lasting peace, while promising the deployment of 5,000 AI-enabled cameras to enhance security and aid in identifying perpetrators.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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