By Ghazali Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has come under criticism from residents and opposition figures following his recent visit to Plateau State in the aftermath of deadly attacks that left dozens dead.
The president visited Jos on Thursday to commiserate with victims and their families, assuring them that the killings would not recur and pledging renewed efforts to restore peace in the state.
During the visit, Tinubu met with government officials, security chiefs and affected families, stating that while no amount of money could compensate for the loss, his administration would work to prevent a recurrence of such violence.
However, the visit has drawn sharp reactions from some residents and political observers, who questioned both its format and impact.
Reports indicate that some residents expressed dissatisfaction with the president’s approach, arguing that the visit did not sufficiently address the scale of the tragedy or provide immediate reassurance to affected communities.
Critics also faulted what they described as a limited engagement, noting that the visit was largely restricted and did not extend deeply into communities directly affected by the attacks.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the visit as a reflection of a disconnect between leadership and citizens, arguing that Nigerians expect concrete action rather than symbolic gestures in times of crisis.
He said the handling of the visit reduced a serious humanitarian situation to what he termed a “choreographed spectacle,” stressing that citizens need to feel the impact of governance through improved security.
The backlash comes amid heightened tension in Plateau State, where recurring attacks have continued to raise concerns about security in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region.
Despite the criticism, the presidency has maintained that the visit was part of broader efforts to assess the situation on ground and coordinate a stronger security response.
