President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State with immediate effect to take charge of security operations following the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Sakaba Local Government Area (LGA).
Recall that gunmen stormed the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga at about 4am on Monday, seizing 24 students.
Authorities later confirmed that one additional student was unaccounted for, bringing the number of abducted girls to 25.
The President’s directive was issued in a statement on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, titled “President Tinubu asks Matawalle, minister of state for Defence to move to Kebbi over schoolgirls’ abduction.”
Tinubu ordered the minister to remain in the state and coordinate rescue operations until the students were safely recovered.
Matawalle, a former governor of Zamfara State, is expected to arrive in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.
According to the statement, Matawalle’s experience handling banditry and mass abductions in Zamfara was a key factor in the President’s decision.
In February 2021, 279 female students were abducted from the Government Girls Science Secondary School in Jangebe during his tenure and all the victims were released days later.
Monday’s attack in Kebbi has intensified fears over school safety in the North-West, where armed groups have repeatedly targeted rural communities and educational institutions.
Meanwhile, the Presidency confirmed on Wednesday that Tinubu has postponed his planned trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, and Luanda, Angola, though no new dates have been announced.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Postpones Foreign Trips Following Kebbi, Kwara Attacks
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