By ifeoma Onyekachi

Mixed reactions have continued to trail President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to Plateau State following the Palm Sunday attack in Jos, as some residents expressed disappointment over the manner the visit was conducted.

The President visited the state on Thursday to commiserate with victims of the attack in Gari Yawaye, a community in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area, where more than 30 people were reportedly killed and several others injured.

However, instead of visiting the affected community or hospitals where injured victims were receiving treatment, the President addressed stakeholders at the Yakubu Gowon Airport in Heipang before leaving the state a move that has sparked criticism among some residents and social media users.

Many residents argued that the visit would have been more meaningful if the President had met victims directly or visited the scene of the attack.

Several residents who reacted online described the visit as lacking empathy and emotional connection with the victims.

One resident, Bright Gyang, criticised the decision to hold the address at the airport, questioning why the President did not visit injured victims in hospitals or the affected community.

Another resident, Joel Poret, described the visit as insensitive, arguing that the victims were not present at the airport while political stakeholders and dignitaries attended the meeting.

Rhoda Daniel also expressed disappointment, stating that the President’s action did not meet the expectations of many residents who had hoped he would personally visit the victims and affected community.

Kefas Habila, another resident, said the presence of a leader in affected communities during tragic moments usually gives victims hope and reassurance that they are not abandoned.

Some residents also compared the visit to previous presidential visits to other states affected by violence, arguing that national leaders should show equal concern to all affected communities across the country.

Despite the criticism, some political observers noted that presidential visits are often guided by security and logistics considerations, which may limit movement to volatile areas.

The Palm Sunday attack in Jos has once again drawn national attention to the recurring security challenges in Plateau State and other parts of the country, with residents calling for stronger security measures and more government presence in vulnerable communities.

Many residents insist that beyond visits and speeches, what the people of Plateau State truly need is improved security and justice for victims of the attacks.