Tinubu Suspends Foreign Trip Over Kebbi, Kwara Attacks

President Bola Tinubu has postponed his scheduled trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, and Luanda, Angola, following worsening security concerns surrounding the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the deadly attack on Christ Apostolic Church worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State.

The President was billed to depart Abuja on Wednesday to participate in the 20th G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg before proceeding to Angola for the 7th African Union–European Union Summit.

However, he suspended his departure after receiving reports of the two attacks, which occurred within 48 hours.

In response to an urgent request from the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the President directed the deployment of additional security operatives to Eruku and surrounding communities in the Ekiti Local Government Area.

A statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu also instructed the police to launch an aggressive manhunt for the bandits responsible for the church attack.

“The President has ordered the deployment of more security men to Eruku and the entire Ekiti Local Government Area of the state and directed the police to go after the bandits who attacked worshippers,” Onanuga stated.

Tinubu is awaiting detailed security briefings from Vice President Kashim Shettima, who visited Kebbi State on Wednesday on his behalf, as well as from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) over the Kwara incident.

According to the presidency, the President will not embark on any international trip until he receives comprehensive assessments of both attacks.

Tinubu reaffirmed his directive to security agencies to spare no effort in rescuing the 24 remaining schoolgirls abducted from the Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State.

“President Tinubu reiterated 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,” the statement added.

‘I Am Depressed by These Attacks’ – Tinubu

The President had earlier expressed deep sadness over the killing of soldiers and the abduction of schoolgirls in separate terrorist attacks in the North.

“As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, I am depressed with the tragic death of our soldiers and officers on active duty. May God comfort the families of Brigadier General Musa Uba and other fallen heroes,” Tinubu said.

He also decried the repeated disruption of children’s education by terrorist groups.

“I am also depressed that heartless terrorists have disrupted the education of innocent schoolgirls. I have directed the security agencies to act swiftly and bring the girls back to Kebbi State.”

The development comes amid renewed public anxiety over escalating banditry attacks in northern and north-central states, particularly with the killing of two worshippers in the Eruku church assault and the abduction of 26 students in Kebbi.

Security agencies have intensified operations in both states, while the Presidency says further decisions will be taken after Tinubu receives full security briefings.