President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State following the abduction of 24 schoolgirls from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in the early hours of Monday. The President instructed the minister to remain in the state and coordinate security operations aimed at securing the release of the students.

Matawalle, a former governor of Zamfara State, is expected to arrive in Birnin Kebbi on Friday. He brings prior experience in handling mass abductions and banditry, having dealt with similar incidents between 2019 and 2023 as governor. One of the most notable cases during his tenure was the 2021 Jangebe schoolgirls’ abduction, where 279 students were taken and later released.

President Tinubu also postponed his planned trips to Johannesburg, South Africa, and Luanda, Angola, as he continues to receive security briefings on the Kebbi schoolgirls’ abduction and the attack on worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State. Security agencies are intensifying efforts to ensure the safe return of the students.