President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has come under heavy fire from residents and stakeholders in Plateau State following his visit to commiserate with victims of the Palm Sunday massacre in Angwan Rukuba.
The controversy stems from the President’s decision to hold a “stakeholders’ meeting” and deliver his sympathy address at the Yakubu Gowon Airport in Heipang, rather than visiting the affected community or the victims currently receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).
“Airport Empathy”: A Geographic and Emotional Gap
The scene of the Sunday night attack in Gari Ya Waye, which left 34 people dead, is located in Jos North—approximately 50 kilometers (a 45–60 minute drive) from the airport in Barkin Ladi LGA where the President landed.
- The Address: Instead of moving into the city, President Tinubu addressed a gathered crowd of traditional rulers, religious leaders, and political stakeholders in a high-security hangar at the airport.
- Security Concerns: While official sources cited “logistical and security protocols” for the brief stay, residents viewed the move as a sign of detachment.
- Public Outery: Social media was flooded with criticism, with many contrasting this visit to his 2023 campaign stops. One resident, Kefas Habila, noted: “Was the President not the one who, before the election, came and danced with us on the Plateau? Today, the same people are not worthy of his empathy in their sorrow.”
Voices of the Aggrieved
- Kacholom Luka (Facebook): “Are the injured victims… being transported there for your viewing? Should you not be visiting the victims in the hospital?”
- Rhoda Daniel: “No sign of humanity. Don’t worry, we will vote for you at the airport in Heipang in 2027.”
- Aaron Azi: Referenced a similar pattern during the 2025 Yelewata killings in Benue, claiming the President’s visits often feel more like “political rallies” than humanitarian missions.
The President’s Statement
Despite the backlash, President Tinubu’s address at the airport focused on a “decisive finality” regarding the state’s security challenges.
- The “New Mandate”: He announced a fresh directive to the Chief of Defence Staff to establish a permanent military “strike force” in the hills of Barkin Ladi and Bassa to intercept gunmen before they reach urban centers.
- Infrastructure Pledge: He promised federal support for the reconstruction of homes destroyed in the Angwan Rukuba attack.
- Call for Calm: He commended Governor Caleb Mutfwang for his leadership during the crisis and urged residents not to take the law into their own hands.
Current Situation in Jos (April 3, 2026)
Following the President’s departure, the 48-hour curfew in Jos North was officially lifted at midnight. However, a “dusk-to-dawn” restriction (6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.) remains in place for the Angwan Rukuba and Farin Gada axes.
While the President’s visit was intended to project strength and stability, the “airport-only” itinerary has inadvertently deepened the sense of alienation among the survivors, many of whom feel their leader was “too afraid” or “too busy” to walk among them in their time of grief.
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