President Bola Tinubu has postponed his planned trip to South Africa for the G20 Leaders’ Summit as he awaits comprehensive security briefings on the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the attack on worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President has ordered the immediate deployment of additional security personnel to Eruku and the entire Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.
He also directed the police to track down the bandits responsible for the attack on the Christ Apostolic Church congregation. The move, Onanuga noted, follows a direct request from the Governor of Kwara State.
Presidential sources confirmed that Tinubu is determined to receive firsthand security assessments, including feedback from meetings held with community leaders in Kebbi, before embarking on the international engagements.
The President had been scheduled to depart Abuja today for the G20 Summit in South Africa, after which he was expected to attend the 7th AU–EU Summit in Luanda, Angola.
“Disturbed by the security breaches in Kebbi State and Monday’s violent attack on worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, President Tinubu has decided to delay his departure,” Onanuga explained. “He is awaiting detailed reports from Vice President Kashim Shettima, who visited Kebbi on his behalf, as well as updates from the police and the Department of State Services on the Kwara incident.”
Tinubu reaffirmed his directive to security agencies to ensure the safe rescue of the 24 abducted schoolgirls and return them to their families without harm.
On Tuesday night, the President instructed Vice President Shettima to travel to Kebbi State following the kidnapping of students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, and the killing of the school’s Vice Principal.
Military authorities had earlier briefed the President, who expressed deep sadness that the attack occurred despite intelligence warnings of an impending strike.
The Zuru Emirate was thrown into disarray early Monday when armed bandits stormed the girls’ secondary school in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, killing Vice Principal Hassan Makuku—who reportedly died while protecting students—and abducting at least 25 schoolgirls. The Kebbi State Police Command has confirmed both the killing and the abductions.
President Tinubu extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and expressed solidarity with the military over the loss of brave soldiers, including Brigadier General Musa Uba, who was killed in action while combating insurgents in Borno State.
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