President Bola Tinubu has postponed his planned trips to Johannesburg and Luanda for the G20 Summit and the AU–EU Summit, to receive security briefings on the kidnapped schoolgirls in Kebbi State and Monday’s attack on worshippers in Kwara State.

A statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the President took the decision after reviewing security developments and consulting with key officials.

In response to a request from the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, President Tinubu directed the deployment of additional military and police personnel to Eruku and the entire Ekiti Local Government Area.

He also ordered security agencies to track down the bandits responsible for the deadly assault on the Christ Apostolic Church congregation.

The President had been scheduled to depart Abuja on Wednesday for the 20th G20 Summit of leaders in South Africa, before proceeding to Angola for the 7th AU–EU Summit.

The President reiterated his directive to the security agencies to “do everything possible to rescue the 24 schoolgirls, abducted by the bandits and bring the girls back home, safe.”

On Tuesday night, Tinubu had directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to visit Kebbi State on Wednesday over the abduction of 25 students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, and the killing of the school’s Vice-Principal.

The President, who had been briefed by the military authorities “expressed sadness over the abduction of the schoolgirls, despite intelligence warnings of a possible strike by the bandits.

The Zuru Emirate in Kebbi State was thrown into panic in the early hours of Monday after armed bandits attacked Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area and killed the Vice Principal and abducted at least 25 students.

The vice principal, Hassan Makuku, who reportedly attempted to shield students from the attackers, was killed in the attack, the Kebbi State Police Command confirmed.

The police also confirmed that 25 students were abducted from the school.

While assuring the guardians of the kidnapped schoolgirls that the government will ensure their quick release, Tinubu also commiserated with the military over the death of the gallant soldiers and Brigadier General Musa Uba, who paid the ultimate price while on active duty fighting insurgents in Borno state.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has demanded the “immediate and unconditional release” of the 25 schoolgirls abducted in Kebbi State, describing the incident as an attack on the dignity and future of Nigerian children.

The minister spoke in Abuja on Wednesday, at the 7th National Children’s Parliament, and the unveiling of The State of the Nigerian Girl Child Report II (2025), to mark the Universal Children’s Day celebration.

Recall that gunmen had stormed the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, where they abducted 25 girls, and killed the school’s Vice Principal, Hassan Yakubu Makuku.

In her keynote address, Suleiman-Ibrahim represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Maryam Keshinro, appealed to the abductors to release the abducted girls, stating that she equally had faith in the courage and skill of Nigeria’s security forces.

“In recent days, 25 school girls were abducted in Kebbi State, an attack on their safety, dignity, and future.

“As a mother, as minister, and as a citizen, I demand their immediate and unconditional release, and I appeal to the abductors to return them safely.

“I also place unwavering confidence in our security forces; their courage, skill, and dedication give us every reason to believe they will secure their safe return,” she stated.

The minister also unveiled the 2025 edition of The State of the Nigerian Girl Child Report, which showed a significant decline in child marriage in the country from 44 per cent to 28.6 percent.

She however said the figures were both joyful and alarming, citing a similar report by the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund, which stated that Nigeria was home to nearly 25 million child brides.

“The State of the Girl Child Report II (2025) brings both joy and alarm. While there has been progress in girls’ school enrollment and community awareness, we cannot overlook stubborn inequalities.

“According to current data, child marriage prevalence has declined from an estimated 44 percent to 28.6 percent, but this is still unacceptably high.

“The scale of the problem is immense: Nigeria is home to nearly 25 million child brides, according to UNICEF. In some states, particularly in the North; prevalence remains among the highest in the world, with rates up to 74% in Bauchi, 72% in Jigawa, and 67% in Zamfara,” Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated.

The minister announced that the government has developed a Costed National Action Plan to End Child, Early, and Forced Marriage, saying the plan is “fully funded, time-bound, and structured for accountability,” with the objective of keeping girls in school and safeguarding their future.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim, also launched the National Guideline on Alternative Care for Children and Nigeria’s first National Boy-Child Policy, adding that the administration was committed to an inclusive approach that addresses the vulnerabilities of both boys and girls.

Also speaking at the event, the Country Director, Save the Children International, Duncan Harvey, expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the decline of child marriage in the country, while calling for continued investment in girls’ rights and education.

“We’re looking particularly at rates of child marriage, and we’re in a great celebration today to show the progress that’s been made in reducing rates of child marriage across the country, from what was 44 per cent several years ago, to lower levels today.

“So it’s great to see the progress that’s been made. Children are the future. Let’s invest in their education, health, and rights,” he stated.