Tinubu’s 10-Minute Jos Visit Sparks Outrage After Deadly Plateau Attack Leaves Dozens Killed

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is facing widespread criticism following a brief condolence visit to Plateau State after the deadly March 29 attack in Jos North, an incident that has left at least 28 people dead and several others injured.

The attack, carried out by suspected gunmen in the Angwan Rukuba area, including Gari Ya Waye, occurred during evening rush hour and is regarded as one of the most devastating assaults in the region in recent years. In response, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang imposed a 48-hour curfew across Jos North Local Government Area to contain rising tensions and restore order.

President Tinubu, who postponed an earlier engagement in Ogun State, arrived in Jos on Thursday, April 2, to commiserate with victims and stakeholders. However, rather than visiting the affected communities, the President held a short meeting at Yakubu Gowon Airport, citing security concerns.

During the airport meeting, Tinubu expressed condolences to grieving families, directed security agencies to apprehend those responsible, and announced a plan to deploy 5,000 AI-powered CCTV cameras to strengthen surveillance in the region. He also assured victims of federal government support.

However, reports that the visit lasted only about 10 minutes have triggered intense backlash nationwide, particularly on social media. Many Nigerians described the stop as inadequate and disconnected from the scale of tragedy experienced by victims.

A statement attributed to the President during the visit has since gone viral:

“You have no light at the airport, and I have to fly back within the next 10 minutes. To the victims, there’s nothing I can give you, whether it’s money in millions, but console you and promise you that this experience will not repeat itself.”

The comment, combined with the brief nature of the visit, has fueled public anger, especially as emotional videos showing grieving families — including mothers burying their sons — continue to circulate online.

In a follow-up post on X (formerly Twitter), Tinubu wrote:

“This afternoon, I spent time with stakeholders and victims of the recent terror incident in Jos, Plateau State. No amount of money can bring back the dead, but the Federal Government will do our best to comfort them, walk with them and provide necessary assistance… We will find the perpetrators of this dastardly act.”

Despite the Presidency’s insistence that the visit demonstrated commitment to justice and peace, critics — including opposition figures and civil society voices — have described the airport-only engagement as symbolic and insufficient.

The development has reignited national conversations about insecurity in Plateau State and other parts of Nigeria, with citizens demanding stronger, long-term solutions beyond condolence visits and public assurances.

Security agencies have since increased deployment in affected areas, including the arrival of additional mobile police units, as efforts continue to stabilize the region.

As families mourn their loved ones, calls for justice, accountability, and meaningful government action continue to grow louder across the country.