President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed Alhaji Bello Matawalle, Minister of State for Defense, to relocate to Kebbi State as part of the expanded search for the 25 abducted schoolgirls.
In a statement on Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said the president issued the directive to strengthen ongoing rescue operations.
Gunmen abducted 24 students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town around 4 a.m. on Monday.
Matawalle is expected to arrive in Birnin Kebbi on Friday and remain in the state to oversee security activities.
He previously served as governor of Zamfara State, where he dealt with several cases of banditry and mass kidnapping.
One of the major incidents during his tenure occurred on 26 February 2021 when 279 female students were abducted from Government Girls Science Secondary School in Jangebe.
The students were released on 2 March 2021 after days of pressure from security forces.
We earlier reported that President Tinubu postponed his trips to Johannesburg and Luanda as he awaited updates on the Kebbi abduction and the attack on worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State.
The Federal Government says the directive aims to improve coordination among security agencies and speed up the rescue mission.
