Plateau attack: Why Tinubu met victims at the airport — Presidency

The Presidency said logistical and operational challenges were the reason why President Bola Tinubu met with Plateau attack victims and stakeholders at Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos.

The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement on Friday in Abuja that the arrangement came after Tinubu’s follow-up meeting with the visiting Chadian leader, Mahamat Idriss Déby, on Thursday, in Abuja, before he flew to Jos.

He said the President’s travel plans on Thursday included receiving the Chadian leader and a scheduled trip to Iperu in Ogun State.

“The President of Chad is at the Presidential Villa to attend a very important bilateral meeting focused on strengthening security collaboration between the two countries.

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“Upon arrival in Jos, additional logistical challenges made it impractical for the President to continue to the city and return before nightfall.

The airport’s runway lacks the navigation aids necessary for night operations, limiting flight movements during the day.

” A road trip from the airport to Jos township, which is estimated to take around 40 minutes, cannot be accommodated within the available time frame.

“These obstacles make it impossible to drive into town, meet the victims, and return to the airport before dusk,” Onanuga said.