Tinubu Vows To Protect Nigerians As Abducted Worshippers And Students Are Freed

President Bola Tinubu has vowed to intensify efforts to tackle insecurity in Nigeria, insisting that no citizen should live in fear. He canceled his scheduled trip to the G20 Summit in South Africa to personally supervise national security operations following recent kidnappings, describing the safety of Nigerians as a fundamental right. In a statement on his official X account on Sunday, Tinubu stressed that his administration would continue to confront criminal activities across the country without compromise. “Let me be clear: I will not relent. Every Nigerian, in every state, has the right to safety — and under my watch, we will secure this nation and protect our people,” he said. The President announced that all 38 worshippers abducted in Eruku, Kwara State, have been rescued, while 51 students previously kidnapped from a Catholic school in Niger State have also been freed. “Thanks to the efforts of our security forces over the last few days, all the 38 worshippers abducted in Eruku, Kwara State have been rescued. I am equally happy that 51 out of the missing students of the Catholic School in Niger State have been recovered,” he said. Tinubu added that he has been receiving continuous updates from security personnel and is closely monitoring the situation nationwide. His remarks come as Nigerians demand faster and firmer government action to stem the rise in kidnappings and armed attacks across the country.

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BREAKING: 38 Worshippers Kidnapped From CAC Oke-Isegun In Kwara Regain Freedom

All 38 people kidnapped during last week’s attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Oke-Isegun in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, have regained their freedom, the state government confirmed on Sunday. Mallam Rafiu Ajakaye, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, said the release followed days of sustained efforts by security agencies and government representatives. He credited the success to President Bola Tinubu’s hands-on approach, noting that the president had postponed a scheduled G20 trip to South Africa to address security breaches in Kwara and Kebbi States. Tinubu also ordered heightened security deployments across the state to ensure the safety of citizens. Ajakaye extended the governor’s appreciation to the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Intelligence Agency, and the Nigeria Police, which deployed four tactical teams under presidential directive. He also thanked local leaders, religious institutions, and residents for their support and cooperation during the crisis. On Sunday, CAC Oke-Isegun held its first church service since the attack, which left three people dead, 38 kidnapped, and several others injured. The service took place under tight security, with soldiers, SWAT, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Kwara Police, and local vigilantes present. During the service, church secretary Michael Agbabiaka clarified that 38 people were abducted, not the 60 reported on social media. He explained that the initial count included 35 members, with three additional non-members later confirmed among the victims. Agbabiaka also disclosed that the bandits initially demanded N100 million per victim, which was later negotiated down to N20 million each before communications with the kidnappers broke off on Friday. Despite the trauma, church leaders encouraged members to attend the service as an act of faith and resilience. Officiating pastor Bamidele Lawrence described the ordeal as a test of faith and said he received divine assurance that all abducted worshippers would return safely, likening their situation to the biblical trials of the Israelites. Congregants expressed gratitude for the safe return of the victims and for the ongoing security presence patrolling the town and the church.

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El-Rufai Alleges Kaduna Government Paid ₦1 Billion To Bandits, Sparks Outcry

Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has accused the current state administration of paying ₦1 billion to bandits, igniting a political controversy. Speaking at a recent public event, El-Rufai claimed the government has been not only making payments but also negotiating with and issuing apologies to criminal groups responsible for ongoing attacks across the state. “One billion naira was paid to bandits by the current Kaduna government. They are paying bandits and apologizing to them. If the governor or anyone disagrees, let them come out and deny it — we have the evidence and proof,” El-Rufai said. The allegations have drawn strong public reactions amid Kaduna’s persistent security challenges, which include killings, mass abductions, and attacks on schools and highways. Security experts warn that if the claims are confirmed, they could severely damage the credibility of the government’s security strategy. Residents and political observers are now calling for transparency and an official response from the state government regarding the handling of Kaduna’s security situation.

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Fifty Children Escape From Niger School Abductors As CAN Confirms 315 Taken

Fifty children who were among the hundreds abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State, have successfully fled from their captors and returned to their families, according to a fresh update from the Christian Association of Nigeria. The children escaped in two waves between Friday and Saturday, prompting CAN officials to begin contacting parents directly to verify their return. The confirmation followed visits to several homes, where families reported that their children had shown up on their own after wandering away from the abductors. CAN explained that the primary section of the school has 430 pupils, including 377 boarders. After accounting for those who escaped and those who were never taken, authorities now say 236 pupils remain in captivity. They are being held alongside three children of staff members, 14 secondary school students, and 12 staff — a total of 253 people still missing. Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who oversees the school, urged residents to remain calm and prayerful, noting that the situation is still unfolding. He assured the public that church leaders are working closely with security agencies, community heads and government officials to secure the release of every remaining hostage. The mass abduction happened on Friday when armed attackers overran the school. While early reports estimated 227 victims, a detailed verification carried out by CAN revealed that 315 people were actually taken — 303 students and 12 teachers. The corrected figure emerged after parents who initially believed their children had escaped later returned to report them missing. CAN’s checks showed that 88 of those students were captured while attempting to flee during the chaos of the attack.

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Federal High Court Denies Assassination Attempt on Justice Omotosho, Labels Viral Report as Fake

Federal High Court Denies Assassination Attempt on Justice Omotosho, Labels Viral Report as Fake

The Federal High Court has refuted a viral publication by an online platform, Celebrity Blogger, which claimed that Justice James Omotosho of the Abuja Division survived an assassination attempt following his judgment that resulted in the life sentence of Nnamdi Kanu. In an official rebuttal issued on Sunday, the court described the report as false, misleading, and entirely baseless, urging the public to disregard it in its entirety. According to the statement, the publication is considered a deliberate attempt to cause public panic, undermine confidence in the judiciary, and possibly intimidate judicial officers. “The said report is completely false and unfounded. The public is advised to treat this publication as fake news and refrain from further dissemination,” the court stated. The Federal High Court has also called on security agencies and relevant regulatory bodies to launch a comprehensive investigation into the source of the false report, with the aim of apprehending and prosecuting those responsible under Nigeria’s laws on cybercrime, defamation, and misinformation. Authorities say offenders found culpable will face the full weight of the law.

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Adamawa Govt Converts All Boarding Schools to Day Schools Over Security Concerns

The Adamawa State Government has announced the immediate conversion of all boarding secondary schools to day schools in response to the growing security challenges facing the country. The directive was issued by the Honourable Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Umar Garba Pella, who emphasized that the decision is necessary to safeguard students and staff across the state. In an official statement from the Ministry, Dr. Pella said the measure is temporary but crucial for ensuring the well-being of learners during this period of heightened insecurity. He added that school administrators, parents, and guardians are expected to comply without delay. “This directive is issued in the interest of the safety and well-being of all students and staff. Compliance is expected with immediate effect,” the statement read. The ministry pledged to continue monitoring the situation and will provide further updates as necessary.

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FG Denies Claim Of Nationwide Unity School Shutdown

The Federal Ministry of Education has debunked viral claims that all schools nationwide were instructed to shut down on November 24, 2025, describing the message circulating on social media as entirely unfounded. In a statement released on Saturday, ministry spokesperson Folasade Boriowo stressed that no closure directive was issued by the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Education, any State Ministry of Education, or any recognised security agency. She urged the public to rely strictly on verified information. According to the ministry, “Any announcement, advisory, or notice coming from unofficial or unverified sources should be ignored and not shared.” It advised Nigerians to confirm the authenticity of any message before circulating it to help curb the spread of misinformation. The clarification follows the Federal Government’s decision a day earlier to temporarily shut down 41 federal secondary schools located in high-risk areas after recent abductions in Niger and Kebbi states. Several state governments — including Kwara, Plateau, Katsina and Niger — have also closed some schools due to rising security concerns. In Taraba State, Governor Agbu Kefas ordered all public and private schools to immediately deboard their students as a precautionary safety measure.

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Niger State Orders Closure of All Schools After Papiri Kidnapping

Niger State has ordered the closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools following the kidnapping of students from St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area. Governor Umaru Bago made the announcement on Saturday after a security meeting with heads of security agencies. A statement from his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, said the governor directed that all Missionary and Islamic schools, as well as Federal Government Colleges, remain closed until further notice. Tertiary institutions in Niger North Senatorial District and other high-risk areas in Niger East Senatorial District are also affected. Governor Bago called on security agencies, religious leaders, civil society organizations, and labour unions to focus on the rescue of the abducted pupils, assuring that the government is committed to protecting lives and property. He described the abduction as “sad and unfortunate” and said efforts are underway to secure the safe return of the students. The exact number of abducted pupils is still unknown, as the Department of State Services (DSS), police, and other security agencies conduct a headcount. The closure follows similar measures in Katsina and Plateau states in response to rising attacks on schools. The federal government has also shut all 47 Unity Colleges nationwide, citing recent security threats and the need to prevent further incidents.

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