President Bola Tinubu has postponed his trip to South Africa for the G20 Leaders’ Summit until he receives additional security briefings from Vice President Kashim Shettima on the kidnapped Kebbi schoolgirls and the attack on Christ Apostolic Church worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State.
Tinubu also ordered the deployment of more 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,” according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday.
The directive was “in response to the request by the governor of Kwara State,” Onanuga stated.
Officials close to the president told our correspondent that Tinubu plans to obtain firsthand details on the situation in Kebbi, including the outcome of meetings with local leaders, before going on his journey.
Tinubu was slated to leave Abuja today for the 20th G20 Leaders’ Summit in South Africa, followed by the 7th AU-EU Summit in Luanda.
“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,” Onanuga explained.
The president emphasized 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, safe.”
Tinubu directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to visit Kebbi State on Wednesday to address the abduction of 25 students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga and the killing of the school’s vice-principal.
Tinubu, who had been briefed by the 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 State was plunged into chaos early Monday morning when armed bandits invaded Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, killing the vice principal and kidnapping at least 25 students.
Hassan Makuku, the vice principal who purportedly sought to shield kids from the attackers, was slain in the incident, the Kebbi State Police Command revealed.
The police also stated that 25 pupils had been abducted from the institution.
While assuring the guardians of the kidnapped schoolgirls that the government will ensure their quick release,
Tinubu also expressed condolences to the military over the deaths of the brave soldiers and Brigadier General Musa Uba, who paid the ultimate price while fighting insurgents in Borno state.
