President Bola Tinubu has directed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to immediately relocate to Kebbi State following the abduction of 24 students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Danko Wasagu Local Government Area.

The directive was announced on Thursday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who stated that Matawalle is expected to remain in Kebbi until meaningful progress is achieved in securing the release of the girls. Matawalle, a former governor of Zamfara State, is scheduled to arrive in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.

During his tenure as Zamfara governor (2019–2023), Matawalle confronted recurring banditry and high-profile kidnappings, including the abduction of 279 female students from Government Girls Science Secondary School in Jangebe in 2021. The girls, aged 10 to 17, were released days later following intense negotiations.

Onanuga’s statement noted:
“President Bola Tinubu has asked the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State over the abduction of 24 schoolgirls in the state. Matawalle was asked to remain in the state to monitor security efforts aimed at securing the release of the abducted students.”

The gunmen reportedly abducted the students around 4 a.m. on Monday. Matawalle’s previous experience in handling mass kidnappings is expected to inform the rescue efforts.

The presidential directive came amid escalating security concerns, with Tinubu postponing his scheduled trips to Johannesburg, South Africa, and Luanda, Angola, to receive security briefings regarding both the Kebbi schoolgirls and an attack on Christ Apostolic Church worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State.

SaharaReporters had previously reported allegations from a former senior aide that Matawalle maintained direct contacts with notorious terrorist commanders during and after his governorship. According to the whistleblower, Matawalle allegedly funded, equipped, and politically mobilised bandit leaders, including providing vehicles and buying stolen livestock. These connections reportedly persisted even after he became Minister of Defence.