Abuja: President Bola Tinubu has directed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State following the abduction of 24 schoolgirls in the state. This directive aims to ensure that focused efforts are made to secure the release of the abducted students.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the statement was issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, outlining that Matawalle, who was formerly the governor of Zamfara State, was asked to remain in Kebbi to closely monitor security operations. The abduction occurred at Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town, Kebbi State, at approximately 4:00 a.m. on Monday.
Matawalle, who is expected to arrive in Birni-Kebbi on Friday, has prior experience with issues of banditry and mass kidnapping from his tenure as governor of Zamfara between 2019 and 2023. Notably, on February 26, 2021, bandits abducted 279 female students from a boarding school in Jangebe, Zamfara State, though all hostages were released by March 2, 2021.
In light of these developments, President Tinubu has postponed his scheduled trips to Johannesburg, South Africa, and Luanda, Angola, as he awaits further security briefings on the situation in Kebbi and another attack on Christ Apostolic Church worshippers in Eruku, Kwara.