‘I’m Depressed…’ – Tinubu Reacts to Killings, Abductions; Postpones Foreign Trips

Tinubu also sympathised with the state government and assured parents and guardians of the kidnapped schoolgirls’ safe and swift release.

• Nurudeen Shotayo

President Bola Tinubu has reacted to heightened security threats across the country, disclosing that he’s depressed with the incidents, which included the kidnapping of schoolgirls and the killing of a military general.

There has been an uptick in insecurity recently, as evident in the abduction of 25 girls during a deadly attack by bandits on the Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS) in Maga, Kebbi State, on Monday.

Barely 24 hours later, gunmen invaded a branch of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) at Oke Isegun in the Eruku community, a boundary town with Kogi in the Ekiti LGA of Kwara state, killing three worshippers and whisking away several others.

The two incidents followed the death of Brigadier General Musa Uba, who was killed while on active duty fighting insurgents in Borno state.Recommended For YouLocal

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Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu has asked Vice President Kashim Shettima to visit Kebbi State on Wednesday to sympathise with the state government and assure parents and guardians of the kidnapped schoolgirls that the government will ensure their quick release.

The President also confirmed the death of Uba and sent condolences to the military over the unfortunate development.

Tinubu, who noted that the military authorities have fully briefed him about the two incidents, expressed sadness over the abduction of the schoolgirls, despite intelligence warnings of a possible strike by the bandits.ADVERTISEMENT

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He commended the Governor of the state, Mohammed Nasir Idris, for the efforts made to avert the kidnapping, but decried the security breach that paved the way for the incident to occur, urging communities across the country, especially in areas facing security challenges, to share information and intelligence that will help the military, the police and the DSS to make the communities safe.

“As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, I am depressed with the tragic death of our soldiers and officers on active duty. May God comfort the families of Brigadier General Musa Uba and other fallen heroes.

“I am also depressed that heartless terrorists have disrupted the education of innocent schoolgirls. I have directed the security agencies to act swiftly and bring the girls back to Kebbi State.

“Our security forces cannot succeed in protecting us if the people don’t cooperate and share information that will help them keep our communities safe. I urge community leaders and our compatriots across the country, especially those in the theatres of operations, to share useful information. Your cooperation is crucial in our fight against these security challenges,” Onanuga’s statement read.