By Atoyebi Nike
President Bola Tinubu has put his planned departure for the G20 Leaders’ Summit in South Africa on hold as he awaits detailed security updates on the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the bandit attack on worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State.
His Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said on Wednesday that the President also authorized additional security deployment to Eruku and surrounding communities at the request of the Kwara State government.
Presidential aides confirmed that Tinubu intends to receive direct briefings from Vice President Kashim Shettima, who was in Kebbi on a sympathy visit, before deciding on new travel dates. The President had been scheduled to leave Abuja today for the G20 Summit and then proceed to Luanda for the AU–EU meeting.
According to Onanuga, Tinubu postponed the trip after expressing deep concern over the security breakdowns in both states. He said the president is expecting reports from Shettima as well as updates from the police and the Department of State Services on the Kwara incident.
Tinubu restated his order to security agencies to ensure the safe return of the 24 abducted students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga. The attack, carried out in the early hours of Monday, left the school’s vice principal, Hassan Makuku, dead after he reportedly tried to protect the students.
The police confirmed that at least 25 girls were taken from the school, and residents of the Zuru Emirate have been left in fear as search efforts continue.
The President also extended condolences to the military over the death of Brigadier General Musa Uba and other troops killed while fighting insurgents in Borno State, praising their sacrifice and assuring the families of his support.
