President Bola Tinubu has postponed his planned trip to South Africa for the G20 Leaders’ Summit as he awaits further security briefings on the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the attack on worshippers at the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State.
The President also ordered the deployment of additional security personnel to Eruku and the entire Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, directing the police to pursue the bandits responsible for the attack. His directive followed a request from the Kwara State Governor, according to a statement on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Presidential aides told our correspondent that Tinubu intends to receive first-hand reports from Vice President Kashim Shettima, who is currently in Kebbi on a sympathy visit, before proceeding with any foreign travel.
Tinubu was scheduled to depart Abuja on Wednesday to attend the 20th G20 Summit of Leaders in South Africa and later proceed to Luanda, Angola, for the 7th AU-EU Summit.
Onanuga explained that the President suspended his departure after “security breaches in Kebbi State and Monday’s attack by bandits against worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku.”
He added, “The President now awaits reports from Vice President Kashim Shettima, who paid a sympathy visit to Kebbi on his behalf, as well as reports from the police and the Department of State Services regarding the attack in Kwara.”
Tinubu reiterated his directive to the security agencies to “do everything possible to rescue the 24 schoolgirls abducted by the bandits and bring the girls back home safely.”
On Tuesday night, the President had instructed Vice President Shettima to travel to Kebbi following the abduction of students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area, and the killing of the school’s Vice Principal.
The President, who had earlier been briefed by military authorities, expressed sadness over the abduction despite intelligence warnings of a possible attack.
The Zuru Emirate was thrown into panic in the early hours of Monday when armed bandits invaded the school, killing the Vice Principal, Hassan Makuku, who reportedly attempted to protect students. The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed that at least 25 students were abducted.
Tinubu also condoled with the military over the deaths of Brigadier General Musa Uba and other soldiers who were killed while on active duty fighting insurgents in Borno State.
