By Chinedu Echianu
The Presidency has defended President Bola Tinubu over criticism of his recent visit to Plateau State, explaining that security and logistical constraints necessitated his decision to meet victims of the Palm Sunday attacks at the airport.
The visit followed deadly attacks in parts of Plateau State that left dozens dead and triggered widespread outrage, with critics describing the President’s engagement as “optical” and lacking empathy.
In a statement issued Friday, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, says the decision was influenced by operational realities.
According to him, Tinubu’s earlier engagement with Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno at the Presidential Villa delayed his departure for Jos.
He added that the Jos airport’s inability to support night operations, due to lack of navigational aids, made travel to affected communities impractical, given the 40-minute road journey.
As a result, representatives of affected communities were brought to a location near the airport, where the President met with victims, community leaders, and top security officials.
The Presidency stressed that the visit was part of a broader response strategy, not merely symbolic.
Tinubu, it said, offered condolences and pledged stronger security measures, including the deployment of 5,000 AI-enabled surveillance cameras across the state.
He also invited community leaders to Abuja for further dialogue aimed at addressing recurring violence.
The Presidency maintained that achieving lasting peace in Plateau would require sustained collaboration between the government and local stakeholders.
