Following persistent criticism against President Bola Tinubu’s engagement of the representatives of the victims of the recent gun attack on the people Angwan Rukuba in Jos, Plateau State, at the airport, the Presidency has clarified that such was inevitable because of constraints of time.

In a release by the Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency also said there were logistics problems that made it difficult for the President to physically visit the Angwan Rukuba venue of the dastardly attacks. Onanuga wrote: “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.

“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.

The constraints made it unfeasible to drive into town, meet victims for on-the-spot assessment and return to the airport before dusk. Consequently, state and federal officials decided to bring representatives of the affected community to a hall adjoining the airport so the President could meet with them promptly while adhering to flight restrictions.