Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has postponed his planned trip to South Africa for the Group of 20 (G20) summit in order to prioritize the rescue of 24 schoolgirls abducted by armed men in Kebbi State earlier this week. The delay also follows a separate church attack in which two worshippers were killed.

The president’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, announced on Wednesday that Tinubu’s decision reflects the government’s commitment to addressing recent security breaches in the northwest.

“Disturbed by the security breaches in Kebbi State and Tuesday’s attack by bandits against worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, President Tinubu decided to suspend his departure,” Onanuga said.

It remains unclear if or when Tinubu will depart for the two-day summit in Johannesburg, originally scheduled to begin on Saturday.

Ongoing Search for Abducted Schoolgirls

The schoolgirls were kidnapped late Sunday night from a secondary school in Maga town, Kebbi State. Reports indicate that the attackers exchanged gunfire with police before scaling the school’s perimeter fence and abducting the students.

Authorities said one girl escaped, but the school’s vice principal was killed during the assault. No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction, and the attackers’ motivation remains uncertain. Officials have suggested that many of the gunmen are former herders armed following clashes with farming communities over land and resources.

Church Attack Raises Further Concerns

In a separate incident on Tuesday, armed men attacked a church in western Nigeria, killing two worshippers during a service that was recorded and circulated online. These acts of violence have amplified concerns about rising insecurity and targeted attacks against civilians in Nigeria.

Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump have used the incidents to claim that Christians are under attack in Nigeria, with Trump threatening to intervene “guns-a-blazing” over what he described as a “Christian genocide”. Nigerian authorities rejected these claims, emphasizing that Muslims are also victims of ongoing security crises in the country.

Context: Security Challenges in Northwestern Nigeria

The northwest of Nigeria, including Kebbi State, has been a hotspot for armed banditry, kidnappings, and communal violence in recent years. Attacks on schools, churches, and farming communities have become increasingly frequent, highlighting the government’s struggle to contain escalating insecurity.

President Tinubu’s decision to delay his G20 visit underscores the urgent need for intervention and coordinated efforts to rescue abducted schoolchildren, restore public safety, and address growing regional instability.