President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has postponed his scheduled trips to South Africa and Angola following fresh security crises in Kebbi and Kwara states, the Presidency announced on Wednesday.
According to a State House press release signed by Special Adviser Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday, the President suspended his departure for the 20th G20 Summit in Johannesburg and the 7th AU-EU Summit in Luanda after receiving reports of the kidnapping of schoolgirls in Kebbi and the armed attack on worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, in Kwara State.
The statement said President Tinubu “has postponed his scheduled trip … as he awaits further security briefings on the kidnapped Kebbi schoolgirls and the attack on Christ Apostolic Church worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State.”
In direct response to appeals from the Kwara State government, the President ordered an immediate reinforcement of troops and police personnel across the affected communities. The press release confirmed that Tinubu “has ordered the deployment of more security men to Eruku and the entire Ekiti Local Government Area of the state, and directed the police to go after the bandits who attacked worshippers.”
The President is now awaiting updates from Vice President Kashim Shettima who travelled to Kebbi on his behalf, as well as reports from the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Services.
Reaffirming his stance, the President insisted that security agencies must leave no stone unturned in recovering the kidnapped pupils. As the statement put it, Tinubu “reiterates his directive to the security agencies to do everything possible to rescue the 24 schoolgirls … and bring the girls back home, safe.”
The Presidency is yet to announce a new date for Tinubu’s international engagements.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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