President Bola Tinubu has postponed his planned trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, and Luanda, Angola, amid the escalating security concerns, following the kidnapping of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the attack on worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State.
The statement announcing this was issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on November 19, 2025.
According to a State House statement, “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 added that “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.”
Tinubu had been expected to depart Abuja on Wednesday for the 20th G20 Summit in South Africa before proceeding to Angola for the 7th AU-EU Summit.
However, the attacks in Kebbi and Kwara prompted an immediate change in plans.
The statement noted that “Disturbed by the security breaches in Kebbi State and Monday’s attack by bandits against worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, President Tinubu decided to suspend his departure.”
The President is awaiting detailed reports from Vice President Kashim Shettima, who visited Kebbi on his behalf, as well as intelligence updates from the police and the Department of State Services.
“He now awaits reports from Vice President Kashim Shettima, who paid a sympathy visit to Kebbi on his behalf, as well as reports from the police and the Department of State Services regarding the attack in Kwara.”
Tinubu also reaffirmed 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, abducted by the bandits and bring the girls back home, safe.”
On Tuesday, SaharaReporters reported that President Bola Tinubu was set for another round of international engagements as he departs Abuja on Wednesday for a two-nation trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, and Luanda, Angola, the Presidency announced on Tuesday.
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that panic and tears swept through Eruku town in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State on Tuesday evening as terrorists stormed a branch of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), killing three worshippers and abducting several others, including the pastor.
Sources told SaharaReporters that the attackers invaded the church during a meeting and immediately opened fire, sending worshippers running for cover.
Three members were shot dead on the spot before the assailants seized an unspecified number of people.
