President Bola Tinubu has abruptly postponed his planned trip to South Africa for the G20 Leaders’ Summit and to Angola for the AU-EU Summit, following fresh waves of violence in Kebbi and Kwara States. The President is demanding deeper, on-the-ground security reports before leaving the country.
His Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced that Tinubu wants detailed briefings from Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Department of State Services (DSS) after two major attacks shook the nation: the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi and a brutal invasion of a church in Kwara.
Why Tinubu Paused the International Trips
Sources inside the Presidency say Tinubu is not ready to travel while the country is dealing with yet another crisis involving children and worshippers. He reportedly wants first-hand updates from Shettima, who has been dispatched to Kebbi on his behalf, and from security chiefs still analyzing the Kwara church attack.
According to Onanuga, Tinubu has also ordered a heavy deployment of security operatives to Eruku and the entire Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, directing police units to hunt down the attackers responsible for the church assault.
Kebbi: 25 Schoolgirls Abducted, Vice Principal Killed
The most disturbing incident occurred in the early hours of November 17 when armed bandits stormed Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, located in Danko/Wasagu LGA of Kebbi State.
The assailants killed the Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Yakubu Makuku, who reportedly died while trying to shield the girls. At least 25 female students were abducted from their hostels during the raid.
Police tactical teams engaged the bandits but the attackers managed to escape into the forests. A combined operation—military units, police operatives, and local vigilantes—has since been deployed to comb the surrounding terrain.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has emphasized the need for strong intelligence-driven operations, while the Information Ministry confirmed that all security and intelligence agencies have been given a “clear mandate” to rescue the girls.
The incident has drawn national and international condemnation. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) labeled the abduction “barbaric.” UNICEF demanded the girls’ immediate and unconditional release, warning against the normalization of school kidnappings.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, described the attack as an assault on education and humanity, urging security agencies to prioritize a swift rescue operation.
Kwara: Bandits Invade Church, Kill Worshippers
On November 18, another tragedy struck. Bandits invaded the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku during an evening worship service around 6 pm. Eyewitnesses say at least five worshippers were killed and several others abducted, including the pastor.
The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the attack, noting that officers and local vigilantes responded immediately. However, the gunmen still escaped through forest routes. Community leaders allege the attackers had attempted to infiltrate Eruku multiple times in recent weeks.
Residents say warnings had been sent to authorities long before the incident but little was done to secure the area.
Why the President’s Decision Matters
Tinubu’s postponement of major diplomatic trips signals the depth of the crisis. The move suggests he wants direct control over the response and is unwilling to risk being out of the country while pressure mounts over insecurity.
It also reflects the political sensitivity of attacks involving schoolchildren and religious spaces, two of the country’s most emotionally charged targets. The administration is now under intense scrutiny as Nigerians wait to see whether promises of rapid rescue operations will materialize.
What Remains Uncertain
The whereabouts and condition of the 25 kidnapped schoolgirls remain unknown. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Security forces face difficult terrain and complex forest networks in Kebbi.
In Kwara, the exact number of abducted church members is still unclear, with conflicting reports from different sources.
Civil society organizations, lawmakers, and international agencies are calling for stronger school protection systems, improved intelligence capacity, and widespread reform of Nigeria’s security architecture.
As Tinubu stays in the country to oversee developments, Nigerians are watching closely. The fate of the schoolgirls, the survivors in Kwara, and the government’s next moves will define the coming days.