Tinubu deploys Matawalle to Kebbi for rescue of 24 abducted students

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday asked the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State to coordinate rescue efforts of 24 schoolgirls recently abducted in the state.

Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga announced this in a statement.

According to the statement, Matawalle, who was formerly governor of Zamfara State, was asked to remain in Kebbi state to monitor security efforts to secure the release of the abducted students.

The statement also indicated that Matawalle, who is expected to arrive in Birni-Kebbi on Friday is expected to use the experience he gained in dealing with banditry and mass kidnapping during his tenure as governor of Zamfara State from 2019 to 2023 to accomplish his task.

The Presidency noted in the statement that On 26 February 2021, armed bandits abducted 279 female students aged between 10 and 17 at the Government Girls Science Secondary School, a boarding school in Jangebe, in Zamfara when Matawalle was governor of the State.

But he was able to secure the release all the hostages on 2 March 2021.

Recall that gunmen abducted 24 students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town, Kebbi State, around 4 am on Monday.

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.