The Presidency has said that logistical and security constraints necessitated the decision by President Bola Tinubu to address victims of the recent attacks in Plateau State at the Jos airport rather than visiting affected communities.

A statement on Friday by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, noted Mr Tinubu had initially planned to travel to Ogun State on Thursday after receiving Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno at the Presidential Villa. However, the Ogun trip was suspended following a security briefing by Plateau State governor Caleb Mutfwang.

According to the statement, the president could not immediately proceed to Jos because of a scheduled bilateral meeting with the Chadian leader to strengthen security cooperation between the two countries.

Mr Onanuga noted that the meeting ran longer than expected, delaying President Tinubu’s scheduled departure for Jos.

“Upon arrival in Jos, the visit encountered some logistical challenges. While the road distance from the airport to Jos township is approximately 40 minutes, the runway does not support night flights due to the absence of navigational aids,” Mr Onanuga said. 

“The constraints made it unfeasible to drive into town, meet victims for on-the-spot assessment and return to the airport before dusk.” 

He added that as a result, government officials arranged for representatives of affected communities to meet the president at a hall near the airport.

Mr Onanuga said senior officials, including the minister of defence, the chief of army staff and the inspector-general of police, had earlier visited Rukuba, identified as the epicentre of the violence.

He added that the president deployed a high-level team to the area ahead of his visit to carry out security and community engagement efforts.

Mr Onanuga said the president’s visit was aimed at engaging stakeholders on ending the protracted violence in the state.

“President Tinubu’s visit to Jos was not merely symbolic. It was a strategic, high-level engagement aimed at bringing all stakeholders together to address the root causes of conflict and insecurity in the state,” the statement said.

During the meeting, the president interacted with victims and community leaders, assuring them of justice and renewed efforts to end the violence.

He also announced plans to deploy 5,000 artificial intelligence-powered cameras in Jos to strengthen surveillance and aid law enforcement.

The president further invited community leaders to Abuja for continued dialogue on achieving lasting peace in Plateau.

“The meeting was solemn and reassuring, boosting residents’ confidence,” Mr Onanuga said, adding that the president underscored the need for inclusive peacebuilding.