President Bola Tinubu has abruptly postponed his planned foreign trips to South Africa and Angola after a wave of violent attacks in Kebbi and Kwara States triggered nationwide alarm.
Tinubu had been scheduled to depart Abuja on Wednesday for the G20 Summit in Johannesburg before heading to Luanda for the AU-EU Summit. However, the recent kidnapping of schoolgirls in Kebbi and the deadly assault on worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State, forced a last-minute change in plans.
The announcement came in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.
According to the State House, Tinubu suspended his departure to receive full security briefings on the two incidents.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has postponed his scheduled trip to Johannesburg, South Africa and Luanda, Angola, as he awaits further security briefings on the kidnapped Kebbi schoolgirls and the attack on Christ Apostolic Church worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State,” the statement said.
The Presidency confirmed that Tinubu has ordered a massive security reinforcement to Kwara following Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s appeal for urgent federal intervention.
“In response to the request by the governor of Kwara State, President Tinubu has ordered the deployment of more security men to Eruku and the entire Ekiti Local Government Area of the state, and directed the police to go after the bandits who attacked worshippers,” the statement added.
Sources earlier told SaharaReporters that terrorists stormed a Christ Apostolic Church branch in Eruku during an evening meeting, shot three worshippers dead, and abducted several others, including the pastor. The attackers reportedly opened fire immediately, sending terrified worshippers running for safety.
The attack came barely 24 hours after the abduction of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi State.
Tinubu, according to the State House, is awaiting a detailed on-the-ground assessment from Vice President Kashim Shettima, who visited Kebbi on his behalf, alongside intelligence updates from the police and the Department of State Services.
“He now awaits reports from Vice President Kashim Shettima… as well as reports from the police and the DSS regarding the attack in Kwara,” the statement noted.
The President also restated his directive to security agencies to urgently rescue the abducted schoolgirls.
“President Tinubu reiterates his directive to the security agencies to do everything possible to rescue the 24 schoolgirls and bring them back home safely.”
Tinubu’s cancelled trip had been confirmed by the Presidency on Tuesday, with expectations that he would join global leaders for the two high-level summits. But the escalating security situation forced an immediate reversal.