President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has postponed his scheduled trips to Johannesburg and Luanda for the G20 Summit and the AU–EU Summit to focus on mounting security concerns following the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and Tuesday’s deadly attack on worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State.
The decision was announced on Wednesday in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. He said the President suspended the visits after reviewing recent security developments and consulting with senior government officials.
Responding to a request from Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, President Tinubu ordered the deployment of additional military and police personnel to Eruku and the wider Ekiti Local Government Area. He also instructed security agencies to track down the gunmen who attacked the Christ Apostolic Church congregation.
Tinubu had been expected to leave Abuja on Wednesday for the G20 Summit in South Africa before heading to Angola for the AU–EU Summit. However, the renewed security threats compelled him to remain in the country for further briefings.
According to the statement, the President is awaiting a comprehensive report from Vice President Kashim Shettima, who visited Kebbi State on Tuesday to commiserate with the families of the abducted schoolgirls. He is also expecting operational updates from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services on the church attack in Kwara.
President Tinubu reiterated his directive to security agencies to ensure the safe return of the 24 kidnapped schoolgirls and to intensify efforts to apprehend those behind the recent attacks. Further updates are expected once the security reports are submitted.
