President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has suspended his scheduled diplomatic trips to South Africa and Angola, citing the need for urgent security briefings following a series of troubling attacks, including the kidnapping of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the assault on worshippers in Kwara State.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency confirmed on Wednesday that the President will no longer depart Abuja for the 20th G20 Summit in Johannesburg nor the 7th AU-EU Summit in Luanda as earlier planned.
According to the release, the President’s decision was driven by the gravity of the recent security breaches.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has postponed his scheduled trip… as he awaits further security briefings on the kidnapped Kebbi schoolgirls and the attack on Christ Apostolic Church worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State,” the statement said.
Responding to a distress request from the Kwara State governor, President Tinubu ordered a massive reinforcement of security personnel across Eruku community and the entire Ekiti Local Government Area.
“The President has ordered the deployment of more security men… and directed the police to go after the bandits who attacked worshippers,” Onanuga added.
The president’s sudden cancellation underscores the seriousness with which he views the security situation. He is now awaiting detailed reports from Vice President Kashim Shettima—who visited Kebbi State on his behalf—and from security agencies investigating the Kwara attack.
Tinubu further reiterated his firm directive to security agencies regarding the abducted schoolchildren.
“President Tinubu reiterates his directive… to do everything possible to rescue the 24 schoolgirls abducted by the bandits and bring the girls back home, safe,” the statement read.
The President is expected to make a decision on new travel dates after receiving the security briefings.
