President Bola Tinubu has directed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi over the abduction of 24 schoolgirls in the state.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu asked Matawalle to remain in Kebbi state to monitor security efforts to secure the release of the abducted students.
Gunmen abducted the students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town, Kebbi State, around 4:00am on Monday.
However, one of the students escaped shortly after the abduction, leaving 24 girls in still captivity.
President Tinubu had postponed his scheduled trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, and Luanda, Angola, as he awaited further security briefings on the kidnapped Kebbi schoolgirls and the attack on Christ Apostolic Church worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State.
Matawalle is expected to arrive in Birnin-Kebbi on Friday, the statement read.
It further noted that Matawalle, who was formerly governor of Zamfara State, gained some experience in dealing with banditry and mass kidnapping during his tenure as governor of Zamfara State from 2019 to 2023.