Heightened Insecurity: Tinubu Aborts G20, AU-EU Trips

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has postponed his planned trips to the 20th G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, and the 7th AU-EU Summit in Luanda, Angola, amid escalating security challenges in Nigeria. The decision comes in the wake of the recent abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and a deadly attack on worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State.

This was confirmed in a statement shared on X by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday.

According to the statement, “The President has decided to suspend his departure to receive further security briefings on the recent attacks in Kebbi and Kwara States.”

The statement further noted that President Tinubu has “directed the deployment of additional security personnel to Eruku and the wider Ekiti Local Government Area and instructed the police to pursue the bandits responsible for the attack on worshippers.”

President Tinubu was scheduled to leave Abuja to attend the G20 and AU-EU summits but opted to prioritize national security. The statement emphasized that the decision “reflects the administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property in the face of escalating insecurity across the country.”

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who visited Kebbi State on the President’s behalf, is expected to provide detailed reports alongside updates from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services regarding the recent attacks.

“The security of Nigerians remains the administration’s top priority. International engagements will follow once the situation is stabilized.” the statement added.