President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken the decisive step of postponing his scheduled international travel to focus on pressing security matters within Nigeria. The President was set to depart Abuja on 19 November 2025 but will now remain in the country to receive comprehensive briefings on the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and a violent attack on worshippers in Kwara State.
Security Crisis Triggers Presidential Action
According to a statement from his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu was deeply disturbed by two major security breaches. The first is the kidnapping of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi State. The second is the bandit attack on worshippers at the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, which occurred on Monday. In direct response to a request from Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, President Tinubu has ordered the immediate deployment of additional security personnel to Eruku and the wider Ekiti Local Government Area.
Furthermore, the President has issued a clear directive to the police to actively pursue the bandits responsible for the church assault. His postponed itinerary included attending the 20th G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, and subsequently the 7th AU-EU Summit in Luanda, Angola.
Awaiting Reports and Reinforcing Kwara
President Tinubu is currently awaiting critical reports from multiple channels. Vice President Kashim Shettima, who visited Kebbi State on the President's behalf to offer sympathy, will provide one assessment. Additional reports are expected from the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) concerning the Kwara attack. Onanuga reiterated the President's stance, stating, "President Tinubu reiterates 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 Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor, Mallam Rafiu Ajakaye, confirmed that Governor Abdulrazaq sought immediate reinforcement for the area's security architecture. The Governor wholly condemned the "unconscionable attack" and sympathized with the people of Eruku, especially the families and the church directly affected. In a significant move, the governor commended President Tinubu for the deployment of 900 additional troops to Kwara, expressing confidence that this would provide a stronger deterrent and ensure permanent calm.
Political and Public Condemnation
The attack has drawn condemnation from across the political spectrum. A former Senate President and ex-governor of Kwara State, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, described the Eruku incident as "shocking and deeply distressing." In a statement, Saraki noted his great concern upon receiving the news, confirming that several residents were injured and others were kidnapped during the Tuesday terrorist attack.
The combined federal and state response underscores the severity of the security challenges in the region, with all efforts currently focused on rescuing the abducted children and restoring safety to the affected communities.
