The Presidency has defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to meet victims of the Plateau killings at a facility near the Yakubu Gowon Airport, citing flight restrictions and logistical constraints.
In a statement on Friday, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said the airport lacks night-landing facilities, making it impractical for the President to travel into Jos and return before dusk.
He explained that officials arranged for representatives of affected communities to meet Tinubu at a hall adjoining the airport to ensure the visit proceeded within operational limits.
The visit followed a recent attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, where several people were killed.
The Presidency also attributed a delay in Tinubu’s trip to a prior engagement with Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where both leaders held talks on regional security cooperation.
According to the statement, the President suspended an earlier planned visit to Ogun State after receiving a security briefing from Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
The Presidency said Tinubu used the meeting to engage stakeholders, console victims, and direct security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend those responsible. Plans were also announced to deploy surveillance infrastructure and assess losses for possible support.
However, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar criticised the visit, describing it as inadequate.
The Presidency maintained that the engagement achieved its objectives and formed part of broader efforts to address insecurity in the state.
