Kebbi abduction: Your pain, our pains, Tinubu tells victims

• Vows justice, support for families, postpones trip to G20, AU-EU summits

• Meets security chiefs 

• Names of 25 abducted schoolgirls released 

• Northern women demand action, emirs pray

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja and Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi

President Bola Tinubu has assured parents and people of Kebbi State that the Federal Government would use all resources within its power to rescue the 25 students of the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, who were abducted by bandits on Tuesday.

He also promised justice for the late Brigadier-General Musa Uba, vice principal and others killed during the tragic attacks.

Shettima described the abduction from the boarding school in Maga as an assault on the collective conscience of all Nigerians. He said President Tinubu was ‘deeply troubled’ and shared the grief of the victims’ families.

“Kebbi’s pain is Nigeria’s pain. When one child is taken, every home in this nation grieves. When girls in the safety of their classroom are seized by criminals, our collective conscience is assaulted,” he said.

He stated that this is not a moment for politics. “This grief transcends party lines, geography and identity. This is a time for unity, compassion, and firm resolve in the face of evil. Our priority is singular and unflinching; our daughters must return home safely,” he stated.

The Vice President assured the families of the abducted girls, the slain general and the vice principal of the government’s unwavering commitment. “This government will not relent. We will use every instrument of the state to bring these girls home and to ensure that the perpetrators of this wickedness face the full weight of justice. Kebbi, you are not alone. Nigeria stands with you. And we shall not rest until your daughters return to your warm embrace,” he vowed.

Paying tribute to the fallen officers, Tinubu said: “We also honour the ultimate sacrifice made by some of our brave officers. To the family of the late Brigadier-General Musa Uba, we say his sacrifice will never be forgotten. When a soldier gives his life in defence of this nation, a part of our collective soul is touched.”

He commended the Kebbi State Government, local leaders, vigilante groups, civil society and security forces for their unity and tireless efforts in tackling the crisis.

Governor Muhammed Idris thanked President Tinubu and Shettima for their support and leadership.

“We, in Kebbi, are most touched by the show of concern and deepened actions being taken to rescue our girls. I am optimistic that they will be rescued,” the governor said, pledging continued partnership with the Federal Government to ensure their safe return.

He added that the state government was doing its best to support the security agencies to operate very well, stressing that the state government had directed the clerics to be praying for the safe returns of the abducted girls.

The visit was attended by key government officials, including the APC’s national chairman, Prof. Nantawe Yitwada, ministers and senior security officials.

Meanwhile, President Tinubu had earlier postponed his planned attendance at the 20th G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa and the 7th AU-EU Summit in Luanda, Angola, in response to the escalating security crises in Nigeria.

A statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said he delayed his departure originally scheduled for yesterday to receive critical security briefings on two violent incidents, kidnapping of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and a deadly bandits’ attack on worshippers at the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State.

According to a statement, the decision came after President Tinubu was alarmed by the recent tragic breaches of security affecting innocent civilians. “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.”

In direct response to a request from the Governor of Kwara State, President Tinubu has ordered the immediate deployment of additional military personnel and police officers to Eruku and across Ekiti Local Government Area in Kwara to strengthen security presence and aggressively pursue the bandits responsible for the attacks on worshippers. The police confirmed that the gunmen stormed the church during a service, killed at least two worshippers, injured others and left the community shaken.

The statement added that President Tinubu was closely monitoring developments through reports from Vice President Kashim Shettima, who visited Kebbi on his behalf, and briefings from the police and the Department of State Services regarding the Kwara’s attacks.

President Tinubu reiterated his firm directive to all security agencies to make every effort necessary to rescue the kidnapped schoolgirls from Kebbi and ensure their safe return. The kidnapping incident involved gunmen ambushing a girls’ dormitory before dawn, resulting in a staff member’s death and the abduction of multiple students.