President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed joy over the release of dozens of kidnapped students in Niger State and 38 worshippers in Kwara State, praising the security agencies for what he described as a coordinated and determined effort. In a statement released on Sunday, the President assured Nigerians that securing lives and property remains his top priority and pledged that no citizen would be abandoned in the fight against insecurity.
The statement came after security forces rescued all 38 members of the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, in Eruku, Kwara State, who were kidnapped while returning from a church programme. Similarly, 51 out of the more than 300 students abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State have regained their freedom. Their release followed days of intense search-and-rescue operations, supported by local vigilantes and community leaders.
Tinubu said he cancelled his trip to the G20 Summit in South Africa in order to personally coordinate the response to the kidnappings. He stressed that protecting citizens remains a core responsibility of the government and vowed that his administration would not relent in its efforts to tackle insecurity across the country.
In his statement, President Tinubu said he has been “closely monitoring the security situation nationwide” and receiving “continuous updates from the frontline.” According to him, recent developments show the value of strong cooperation between the federal government, security agencies, and affected communities.
“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,” the President said. “I am equally happy that 51 out of the missing students of the Catholic School in Niger State have been recovered.”
He added that every Nigerian deserves to feel secure, and his administration would continue to take “firm and decisive steps” to reclaim areas affected by kidnappers and bandits. “Every Nigerian, in every state, has the right to safety and under my watch, we will secure this nation and protect our people,” he added.
The rescue of the victims comes amid growing concern about the resurgence of mass abductions in parts of Nigeria. The Niger State kidnapping, in particular, drew national and international attention due to the large number of victims. More than 300 students and teachers were abducted on 21 November 2025 when armed bandits raided St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area. The attack was the latest in a long list of raids on schools and rural communities in the North-Central region.
In the Kwara incident, 38 worshippers were kidnapped from Eruku while returning from a religious event. The abduction shocked the local community, which had previously enjoyed relative peace compared to neighbouring states. The incident was a reminder that insecurity in Nigeria has spread beyond traditionally high-risk areas, reaching states that once considered themselves safe.
Security personnel, including the Nigeria Police Force, the military, and local vigilante groups, played central roles in locating the victims and securing their release. Sources say operations involved tracking the movement of the kidnappers through forest routes and coordinating intelligence shared by locals familiar with the terrain.
President Tinubu acknowledged the commitment of the security forces, saying their work demonstrates the government’s determination to confront criminal groups. “I will not relent,” he said, signalling that more operations should be expected in the coming weeks.
The President’s acknowledgment also reflects the administration’s strategy of using both federal and community-driven approaches to fight banditry, a method that has become increasingly necessary as kidnappers spread across remote communities.
News of the victims’ release sparked joy in both states. In Eruku, worshippers gathered at the Christ Apostolic Church for prayers of thanksgiving, while families in Niger State welcomed rescued students with tears of relief. Community leaders praised the efforts of security operatives and urged the government to tighten patrols around vulnerable areas.
Parents of the freed students said they were grateful but anxious about the fate of the remaining hostages. More than 250 students and teachers abducted from the Niger school remain in captivity, according to officials and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). Search operations for the remaining victims are ongoing.
The recent abductions have intensified public debate on the government’s approach to security. Many Nigerians feel unsafe, particularly in the northern regions where kidnappings have increased over the last decade. Critics argue that the rising number of incidents shows the need for deeper reforms in security funding, personnel training, and community involvement.
President Tinubu’s decision to cancel his G20 trip signals the seriousness with which the government views the situation. Analysts say the President is trying to avoid the political backlash that often follows high-profile kidnappings, especially when children are involved.
Despite the successful rescue operations, the challenge remains far from over. Banditry in Nigeria has grown into a well-organised criminal enterprise, marked by large kidnapping operations, extortion, and attacks on villages. Communities in Niger, Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, and parts of Kwara continue to face threats.
While Tinubu’s message highlights determination, many Nigerians hope the government will back its promises with long-term security reforms. Families of the remaining abducted Niger students are still waiting anxiously for full rescue operations to be completed.
