By John Umeh
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has suspended his scheduled trip to South Africa and Angola following fresh security crises in Kebbi and Kwara states. The President was expected to depart Abuja for Johannesburg to attend the 20th G-20 Leaders’ Summit, before proceeding to Luanda for the 7th AU-EU Summit, but called off the journey to receive critical security updates.
In a statement released by the Presidency, Tinubu’s decision was driven by two troubling incidents:
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The kidnap of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi State, and
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The bandit attack on Christ Apostolic Church worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State.
The Presidency noted that Tinubu acted swiftly after receiving a formal request from the Kwara State Governor, directing an immediate reinforcement of security personnel across Eruku and the entire Ekiti Local Government Area. The President also instructed police operatives and other security agencies to track down the attackers and restore calm.
The statement added:
“Disturbed by the security breaches in Kebbi and the attack on worshippers in Eruku, President Tinubu has suspended his planned departure. He will remain in Abuja to receive reports from Vice President Kashim Shettima, the police, and the Department of State Services.”
Vice President Shettima visited Kebbi on the President’s behalf to assess the situation and express government sympathy to affected families.
President Tinubu reiterated his unwavering directive to security agencies to intensify efforts toward the safe rescue of the abducted schoolgirls and ensure that the perpetrators of the recent attacks are brought to justice.
He emphasized that safeguarding citizens remains the Federal Government’s top priority, and no international engagement will take precedence over the security and wellbeing of Nigerians.
