President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has suspended his planned participation at the 20th G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, and the 7th African Union-European Union (AU-EU) Summit in Luanda, Angola, following escalating security challenges in Kebbi and Kwara States.
The President’s decision, announced Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, comes as security agencies intensify efforts to rescue 24 abducted schoolgirls and apprehend bandits responsible for a deadly church attack.
Tinubu, who was scheduled to depart Abuja on Wednesday, chose to remain in the country to receive comprehensive security briefings from Vice President Kashim Shettima and intelligence agencies regarding the twin security breaches.
“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,” Onanuga stated.
The postponement follows Monday’s predawn raid on Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, where armed bandits killed Vice Principal Hassan Yakubu Makuku and abducted 25 female students. One student has since escaped and returned home safely.
Simultaneously, bandits attacked Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing worshippers and creating panic across the community.
Responding to a formal request from Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, President Tinubu has ordered the immediate deployment of additional security personnel to Eruku and surrounding areas within Ekiti Local Government. He has also directed the Nigeria Police Force to launch a comprehensive manhunt for the perpetrators of the church attack.