President Bola Tinubu has postponed his scheduled trip to South Africa for the G20 Leaders’ Summit to receive further security briefings on the kidnapped schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the recent attack on worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State.
A statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday said Tinubu also ordered the deployment of additional security personnel to Eruku and the entire Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara.
The police have been directed to pursue the bandits responsible for the attack. Onanuga noted that the directive came in response to a request from the Kwara State governor.
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Officials close to the President told our correspondent that Tinubu intends to receive first-hand reports on the situation in Kebbi, including outcomes of meetings with local leaders, before resuming his international engagements.
Tinubu was scheduled to leave Abuja to attend the 20th G20 Summit in South Africa and later proceed to Luanda for the 7th AU-EU Summit. Disturbed by the security breaches in Kebbi and the Monday night attack in Eruku, he decided to suspend his departure. “He now awaits 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 regarding the attack in Kwara,” Onanuga explained.
The President reiterated his directive to security agencies to “do everything possible to rescue the 25 schoolgirls abducted by the bandits and ensure their safe return.”
On Tuesday night, Tinubu had instructed Vice President Shettima to visit Kebbi State following the abduction of students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, and the killing of the school’s vice principal, Hassan Makuku. Makuku reportedly tried to shield students from the attackers and was killed in the assault, according to the Kebbi State Police Command.
The Zuru Emirate was thrown into panic in the early hours of Monday after armed bandits stormed the school, abducting 25 students. The police confirmed the abductions and assured that security agencies are working to secure their release.
Tinubu also commiserated with the military over the deaths of soldiers, including Brigadier General Musa Uba, who lost his life while on active duty fighting insurgents in Borno State, praising their courage and dedication.
