President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to immediately relocate to Kebbi State following the abduction of 24 schoolgirls from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town.
The directive was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said Matawalle is to remain in the state to oversee and coordinate security operations aimed at rescuing the abducted students.
The schoolgirls were kidnapped around 4:00am on Monday, when gunmen invaded their dormitory. One of the students managed to escape shortly after the incident, leaving 24 girls still held captive.
President Tinubu, who postponed his scheduled trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, and Luanda, Angola, is said to be receiving continuous security briefings on both the Kebbi abductions and the recent attack on Christ Apostolic Churchworshippers in Eruku, Kwara State.
According to the statement, Matawalle a former governor of Zamfara State is expected to arrive in Birnin-Kebbion Friday. His experience in handling banditry and mass abductions during his tenure from 2019 to 2023 is believed to be a key factor in the President’s decision.
It recalled that on 26 February 2021, 279 female students aged between 10 and 17 were abducted from Government Girls Science Secondary School, Jangebe, in Zamfara, before being released on 2 March 2021.
Meanwhile, Senator Garba Maidoki of Kebbi South expressed optimism that the abducted girls would be rescued soon.
Vice President Kashim Shettima also visited the affected community, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring the safe return of the schoolgirls.
