Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

At the summit, Shettima is expected to advance Nigeria’s agenda on economic cooperation, security partnerships, climate financing, and global development.

This was stated in a release by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha, on Friday.

The statement confirmed that Shettima will engage with global leaders and development partners throughout the summit.

The Vice President’s attendance follows President Tinubu’s last-minute cancellation of his scheduled trip to South Africa on Wednesday, November 19.

“Vice President Kashim Shettima, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa, for the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

“The Vice President, who arrived on Friday evening, is scheduled to engage foreign leaders and development partners on issues relating to the economy, security, and climate change, among others,” the statement read.

The President remained in Abuja to receive high-level security briefings in the wake of the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the deadly attack on worshippers at a Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State.

The meeting, which will take place from November 22 to 23 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, brings together leaders of the world’s 20 largest economies, alongside representatives of the European Union, the African Union, and major international financial institutions.

Shettima, who touched down at Waterkloof Air Force Base, was received by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Chargé d’Affaires, Alexander Ajayi; Consul General, Umar Bashir; Defence Adviser, Commodore Ibrahim Ari Gwaska; South Africa’s Chief Director for West Africa, Nyameko Goso; and Small Business Development Minister, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, among other officials.

Omoyele Sowore, human rights activist has claimed that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra Nnamdi Kanu has been transferred to a correctional center in Sokoto State.

Daily Voice reports that Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS since 2021, was on Thursday sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of terrorism-related charges.

In a statement on his Facebook page, Sowore alleged that the separatist was secretly moved from the DSS custody to Sokoto prison.

He wrote, “The Tinubu Regime Has Secretly Transferred Nnamdi Kanu to Sokoto Prison

“Yes, they have already planned it. Their intention since yesterday was to move Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to a notorious prison based in the northern parts, where his safety cannot be guaranteed. I can confirm now that he’s already in Sokoto prison.

“They openly said he would “become a king” if taken to Kuje correctional center in Abuja, because according to them, “Igbo people” and his supporters would turn Kuje into a place of pilgrimage.

“That is why they are desperate to keep him far away, isolated, and vulnerable.

“It is also why they activated their cronies to start selling the illusion of “renewed hope” for MNK, a psychological tactic to keep the public calm while they execute their darkest agenda. Their plan is simple it is to keep your hopes alive just long enough for him to die in custody.

“They have no intention of releasing him, not even for political calculations or electoral convenience.

“I have said it before without fear, MNK’s greatest enemies are the politicians from his own region. They fear his influence, they fear his connection to the people, and they want him silenced permanently. This is why they fought tooth and nail to frustrate our #FreeNnamdiKanuNOW protest”.

The Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Friday said 227 persons, including teachers and students, were abducted during the attack on St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area.

In a statement signed by Daniel Atori, media aide to the state CAN chairman, Daniel Okoh, the association disclosed that 215 pupils and students, alongside 12 teachers, were taken away when armed men stormed the school in the early hours of Friday.

Naija News had earlier reported that the terrorists invaded the Catholic-owned school between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m., whisking away an unconfirmed number of learners and staff.

The statement reads, “I have just got back to the village this night after I visited the school where I also met with parents of the children to assure them that we are working with the government and Security agencies to see that our children are rescued and brought back safely.

“From our records, 215 pupils and students, including 12 teachers, were abducted by the terrorists.

“It is worth noting that, during the terrorist attack, some students escaped, and parents have started coming to pick up their children as the school has to be shut down.

“I want to call on everyone to remain calm and prayerful, and I also want to assure you that we are actively collaborating with security Operatives, community leaders and government authorities for the safe and quick return of all abductees.

“May the Lord grant quick release to those abducted and continue to protect his people from all dangers.”

The attack comes barely days after gunmen abducted 25 students from a secondary school in Maga, Kebbi State, a raid that also claimed the life of the school’s vice principal, Hassan Makuku, who attempted to resist the attackers.