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.
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