President Bola Tinubu has directed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to immediately relocate to Kebbi State to oversee security operations following the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in the state.
Gunmen invaded the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, located in Sakaba Local Government Area, around 4am on Monday, whisking away 24 students.
One more girl was later confirmed missing.
Tinubu’s directive was disclosed in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday, titled, ‘President Tinubu asks Matawalle, minister of state for Defence to move to Kebbi over schoolgirls’ abduction’.
Tinubu instructed Matawalle to remain in Kebbi and coordinate rescue efforts until the students are safely recovered.
The statement reads, “President Bola Tinubu has asked the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State over the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in the state.
“Matawalle, who was formerly governor of Zamfara State, was asked to remain in the state to monitor security efforts to secure the release of the abducted students.
“Matawalle, who is expected to arrive in Birni-Kebbi on Friday, gained some experience in dealing with banditry and mass kidnapping during his tenure as governor of Zamfara State from 2019 to 2023.
“On 26 February 2021, armed bandits abducted 279 female students aged between 10 and 17 at the Government Girls Science Secondary School, a boarding school in Jangebe, in Zamfara State. The bandits released all the hostages on 2 March 2021.”
On Wednesday, Tinubu postponed his scheduled trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, and Luanda, Angola.
