Omo! The security situation in Nigeria is truly no be joke. The relentless wave of violence has become so serious that it has effectively grounded the nation's number one citizen. President Bola Tinubu has officially postponed his planned trips to South Africa and Angola, prioritizing the grave security crises that have recently shaken Kwara and Kebbi states.
The postponement was confirmed in a statement issued on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, following urgent concerns raised by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State regarding security deployment.
The Two Critical Incidents
President Tinubu’s decision to cancel his international travel which included the high-profile G20 and AU-EU Summits stems from two devastating incidents that occurred in quick succession:
1. Kwara Church Attack: Worshippers were recently attacked at the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) at Oke Isegun in Eruku, Kwara state, a boundary town with Kogi. More than five armed bandits stormed the building, ransacked the church, and abducted members of the congregation. Though the Kwara police command confirmed three injuries, including a vigilante, the exact number of abductees remains undisclosed.
2. Kebbi School Abduction: This attack followed closely on the heels of another devastating incident where bandits raided Government Girls Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi state, abducting 25 schoolgirls less than 48 hours prior .
Tinubu’s Directives from Aso Rock ๐ก️
The President decided to stay put in Abuja while awaiting critical security updates. Instead of flying out for summits, he is receiving briefings from Vice-President Kashim Shettima (who visited Kebbi on his behalf) and reports from the police and DSS on the situation in Kwara.
His immediate actions include:
Increased Deployment: Ordering the dispatch of additional security personnel to Eruku and the entire Ekiti LGA in Kwara to secure the community.
Manhunt: Directing the police to immediately track down and apprehend the attackers who invaded the Christ Apostolic Church on Monday.
Rescue Mission: Reaffirming his instruction to all security agencies to "do everything possible" to rescue the 24 schoolgirls abducted in Kebbi and ensure their safe return home.
The President had been scheduled to depart Abuja today for Johannesburg to attend the 20th G20 Summit, before proceeding to Luanda for the 7th AU-EU Summit [Original post]. E be like say national security is the only travel itinerary for the President right now. The nation is holding its breath, demanding swift action and the safe return of all kidnapped citizens.