By Emmanuel Nduka
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday expressed frustration over a power outage at the Plateau State airport during his brief condolence visit following the recent deadly attacks in the state.
Arriving amid tight time constraints, the president apologised to attendees for the rushed nature of his visit, blaming the lack of electricity at the airport.
“Please be seated. You have no light at the airport, and I have to fly back within the next 10 minutes,” Tinubu said.
The president did not proceed beyond the airport but held a short meeting there with families of victims from the Anguwan Rukuba attack, as well as political stakeholders.
Addressing grieving families, Tinubu acknowledged the depth of their loss, saying no amount of financial compensation could undo the tragedy. “To the victims, there’s nothing I can give you, whether in billions, but I promise you this experience will not repeat itself,” he stated.
The visit comes in the wake of the Palm Sunday attack in Anguwan Rukuba, which claimed at least 30 lives. Reports indicate that no fewer than 119 people have been killed in a wave of coordinated assaults across Plateau State in recent weeks, intensifying fears over worsening insecurity.
The escalating violence has drawn widespread condemnation, with critics accusing the federal government of failing in its primary duty to safeguard lives and property.
In a strongly worded statement, Amnesty International criticised the government’s response, describing the attacks as a consequence of “inexcusable security lapses”.
“With the death toll from the Palm Sunday attack surpassing 30, Nigerian authorities must urgently investigate the failures that allowed gunmen to carry out such a horrific assault,” the organisation said.
It further warned that the pattern, timing, and nature of the attacks highlight growing vulnerability among citizens, noting that more bodies continue to be recovered. “Plateau State is increasingly becoming unsafe, with people at risk of being killed anywhere and at any time,” the group added.
The incident has renewed pressure on the Tinubu administration to take decisive action to stem the tide of violence and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s security architecture.
