President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has postponed his scheduled international trips to the 20th G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, and the 7th African Union-European Union (AU-EU) Summit in Luanda, Angola, citing the need for further security briefings on recent attacks and abductions across the country.
The decision, announced on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, through a State House press release, comes amid growing public concern over worsening insecurity in parts of northern and north-central Nigeria.
President Tinubu was originally billed to depart Abuja on Wednesday for the back-to-back summits scheduled for November 22–23 (G20) and November 24–25 (AU-EU).
According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the President suspended his departure following disturbing reports of:
- The abduction of 24 schoolgirls by bandits in Kebbi State.
- Monday’s deadly attack by gunmen on worshippers at the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State.
“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,” the statement read.
READ: Kebbi State: Bandits Kill Vice Principal and Kidnap 25 Female Students from GGCSS in Danko/Wasagu LGA
The President is currently awaiting detailed reports from Vice President Kashim Shettima, who visited Kebbi State on his behalf to commiserate with the government and people, as well as updates from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services on the Kwara incident.
In a direct response to an appeal by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, President Tinubu has ordered the immediate deployment of additional military and police personnel to Eruku and the entire Ekiti Local Government Area.
He also reiterated his standing directive to security agencies to spare no effort in rescuing the 24 abducted schoolgirls and reuniting them safely with their families.
The postponement marks a rare instance of a sitting Nigerian president altering foreign travel plans in direct response to domestic security developments, underscoring the gravity of the current wave of banditry and kidnappings.
Further updates on the rescheduling of the presidential trips will be communicated in due course, the statement added.