President Bola Tinubu has postponed his planned trip to South Africa for the G20 Leaders’ Summit as he awaits detailed security briefings from Vice President Kashim Shettima regarding the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the attack on worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President also ordered the deployment of additional security personnel “to Eruku and the entire Ekiti Local Government Area of the state, and directed the police to go after the bandits who attacked worshippers.”
Onanuga noted that the directive followed a request from the Kwara State governor.
Presidency sources said Tinubu opted to delay his journey to receive direct updates on the Kebbi incident, including outcomes of engagements with community leaders.
The President had been scheduled to depart Abuja today for the 20th G20 Summit in South Africa and later travel to Luanda for the 7th AU-EU Summit.
Onanuga added, “Disturbed by the security breaches in Kebbi State and Monday’s attack by bandits against worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, President Tinubu decided to suspend his departure. He 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 reaffirmed his instruction to security agencies to “do everything possible to rescue the 24 schoolgirls, abducted by the bandits and bring the girls back home, safe.”
On Tuesday night, the President directed Vice President Shettima to travel to Kebbi State over the abduction of 25 students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, and the killing of the school’s Vice Principal.
The President, who had been updated by military authorities, “expressed sadness over the abduction of the schoolgirls, despite intelligence warnings of a possible strike by the bandits.”
The Zuru Emirate in Kebbi was thrown into confusion early Monday when armed bandits invaded the school in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, killed the Vice Principal, and abducted at least 25 students.
The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed that the Vice Principal, Hassan Makuku, was killed while attempting to protect the students during the attack, and that 25 students were taken.
Tinubu also extended condolences to the military following the deaths of soldiers and Brigadier General Musa Uba, who were killed in Borno State while combating insurgents.
Advertisement
