By Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
The Presidency has explained why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not leave the airport during his recent visit to Jos, citing tight scheduling and logistical constraints.
The President had travelled to Jos following deadly attacks in Angwa Rukuba, located in Jos North Local Government Area, where several residents were killed by gunmen. During the visit, victims and their families were brought to meet him at the airport, where he expressed condolences and offered assurances.
“You have no light at the airport, and I have to fly back within the next 10 minutes. To the victims, there’s nothing I can give you, whether it’s money in millions, but console you and promise you that this experience will not repeat itself,” the President told grieving families.
However, his decision to remain at the airport drew criticism from some opposition figures, who accused him of failing to demonstrate empathy by not visiting the affectesufficientd community. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, through his aide, described the visit as a “choreographed spectacle” driven more by optics than compassion.
Responding to the backlash, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the circumstances surrounding the trip made it impractical for the President to leave the airport.
According to him, the President’s initial schedule included hosting Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, followed by a planned trip to Iperu in Ogun State. However, after receiving a security briefing from Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Tinubu cancelled the Ogun visit and arranged an urgent trip to Jos.
Despite the adjustment, the high-level bilateral meeting with the Chadian leader—focused on strengthening security cooperation—could not be rescheduled and lasted longer than expected, delaying the President’s departure.
On arrival in Jos, further operational constraints prevented movement into the city. Onanuga explained that the journey from the airport to the city centre takes about 40 minutes, while the airport runway lacks the navigational aids required for night flights. This made it impossible for the President to travel into town and return before dusk.
As a result, representatives of the affected communities were brought to a hall near the airport to meet with the President, allowing him to engage with them within the limited time available.
Onanuga added that top security officials, including the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector-General of Police, had earlier visited the attack site and were present at the meeting. A high-level team had also been deployed ahead of the President’s arrival to conduct preliminary security and community engagement.
Beyond offering condolences, the Presidency said the visit was aimed at addressing the root causes of recurring violence in Plateau State. The President held discussions with community leaders, listened to their concerns, and assured them of the Federal Government’s commitment to restoring peace and ensuring justice.
Among the measures announced was the planned deployment of 5,000 AI-enabled surveillance cameras across Jos to enhance monitoring and support the identification and arrest of perpetrators.
He also invited community leaders to Abuja for further dialogue on lasting solutions to the crisis.
The Presidency maintained that, despite the criticisms, the visit achieved its primary objectives, describing the engagement as solemn and reassuring while emphasizing the importance of inclusive, community-driven approaches to sustainable peace.
