Plateau Residents Criticise Tinubu for Addressing Attack Victims at Airport

Some Plateau residents have criticised Bola Tinubu following his visit to the state on Thursday to sympathise with victims of the Palm Sunday attack in Gari Yawaye, a community in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area, where over 30 people were killed and several others injured.

The President, who visited in response to the violence, addressed stakeholders at Yakubu Gowon Airport, located about 100 kilometres from the scene of the attack, before leaving the state.

However, the visit sparked dissatisfaction among many residents, who said it lacked the empathy expected from a national leader.

Several residents argued that the President should have either visited the affected community or met with victims receiving treatment in hospitals.

Taking to social media, some expressed concern over why the address was delivered at the airport, far from those directly affected by the tragedy.

One resident, Kacholom Luka, wrote on Facebook, “Welcome to Heipang Airport of Plateau State, Mr President. Are the injured victims, currently in the hospital, being brought there for you to see? Should you not visit them where they are? It is well with all of us in this country.”

Other residents also voiced their frustration.

Comrade Bright Gyang said, “I don’t understand what we have done to deserve this, but it feels like we are being punished with the kind of leadership we have. A leader addressing victims from an armoured vehicle, while receiving dignitaries at the airport.”

Joel Poret described the visit as insensitive, questioning why the President did not go directly to the victims or affected community.

He added that those present at the airport were mainly political, traditional, and religious leaders rather than victims.

Rhoda Daniel also criticised the approach, stating that the visit did not meet public expectations and lacked compassion.