President Tinubu Halts International Travel Following Security Emergencies
President Bola Tinubu has made the decisive move to postpone his scheduled diplomatic missions to South Africa and Angola following two devastating security incidents in Nigeria. The President was set to depart Abuja on Wednesday, November 19, but chose to remain in the country to address the escalating security concerns.
Dual Crises Prompt Presidential Action
The decision comes in response to the kidnapping of 25 female students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, located in the Danko Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State. This alarming incident occurred between 4 am and 5 am on Monday, November 17, when armed gunmen stormed the school premises, firing shots into the air before abducting the students.
Simultaneously, a violent attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku, Kwara State, further complicated the security landscape. The assault, which took place on Tuesday evening, November 18, resulted in three confirmed fatalities and the abduction of an unconfirmed number of worshippers in the Ekiti Local Government Area.
Security Response and Presidential Directives
According to official statements from Bayo Onanuga, the President's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, President Tinubu is awaiting comprehensive security reports on both incidents before proceeding with any international engagements. The President has taken immediate action by responding to Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq's request for enhanced security deployment to Eruku and the broader Ekiti local government area.
In a decisive move, Tinubu has directed security agencies to pursue the assailants responsible for the church attack and ensure the safe return of all abducted individuals. The President has also deployed Vice President Kashim Shettima to Kebbi State to commiserate with affected communities and coordinate response efforts.
The postponed trips included significant international engagements: the 20th G20 Summit of leaders in Johannesburg, South Africa, and the 7th AU-EU Summit in Luanda, Angola. President Tinubu's decision underscores the administration's prioritization of domestic security concerns over international diplomacy during this critical period.
Security forces, including the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force, are currently working to secure the release of the abducted schoolgirls and church worshippers while investigating the coordinated nature of these attacks.
