In a significant pivot of national priority, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has postponed his highly anticipated diplomatic trip to attend the 20th G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, and the subsequent 7th AU-EU Summit in Luanda, Angola. The decision, confirmed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stems from a commitment to address the recent surge in major security breaches across the country. The President is currently awaiting crucial security briefings on two distressing incidents: the mass abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the deadly attack on Christ Apostolic Church worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State. This postponement underscores the critical security challenges facing the administration and highlights the immediate need for a decisive domestic response.
The crisis unfolded in the Zuru Emirate of Kebbi State when armed bandits raided the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in the Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, resulting in the abduction of at least 24 schoolgirls. The school’s Vice-Principal, Hassan Makuku, was tragically killed while attempting to shield the students. President Tinubu, who expressed sadness that the attack occurred “despite intelligence warnings,” has directed security agencies to “do everything possible to rescue the 24 schoolgirls… safe.” Vice President Kashim Shettima was immediately dispatched to Kebbi State to pay a sympathy visit and receive a first-hand report, which the President now awaits.
Simultaneously, the nation was rocked by a bandit attack on worshippers at the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State. In response to a request from the Governor of Kwara State, President Tinubu ordered the deployment of more security personnel to Eruku and the entire Ekiti Local Government Area. The police have been directly instructed to “go after the bandits who attacked worshippers” and submit detailed reports to the Presidency.
According to the post, the decision was made because the President was “Disturbed by the security breaches in Kebbi State and Monday’s attack by bandits against worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku.” He now awaits reports from VP Shettima regarding Kebbi and security agencies regarding the Kwara attack.
The Commander-in-Chief also took time to commiserate with the military over the death of gallant soldiers, including Brigadier General Musa Uba, who paid the ultimate price while fighting insurgents in Borno state. The immediate focus is now on ensuring the safe return of the abducted students and bringing the perpetrators of the Kwara attack to justice, with the nation waiting anxiously for the security reports that will determine the next steps.
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