Jos Massacre: Tinubu’s inability to visit attack site reflects citizens’ harsh reality – CSO

President Bola Tinubu visited Jos on April 8, 2024, following the killing of 28 people in recent attacks in Plateau State. He addressed victims, community leaders, and stakeholders at the airport, expressing deep sympathy and condemning the violence. Tinubu assured residents his administration remains committed to restoring peace, promising to deploy AI-enabled surveillance cameras and intensify intelligence gathering to prevent further bloodshed. He directed security agencies to bring perpetrators to justice and pledged federal support for affected communities, urging unity among residents.

Choji Pwakim, founder of the Youth Initiative Against Violence and Human Rights Abuse (YIAVHA), questioned the decision not to visit the attack site, saying it reflects the insecurity ordinary citizens face daily. In an interview with BusinessDay on Monday in Jos, he asked, "If logistical limitations prevented night operations, was it impossible for the President to spend the night in Jos and visit the affected community the following day?" He noted the Governor of Plateau State visited the area in an armoured vehicle, contrasting it with the President's limited engagement. Pwakim said the gesture of bringing victims to the airport could deepen trauma and stressed that AI surveillance does not address the political, social, and historical roots of the crisis. He called for a review of past inquiry reports and greater community engagement.