President Bola Tinubu has instructed Vice President Kashim Shettima to travel to Kebbi State today (Wednesday) on a solidarity visit following the abduction of schoolgirls from a boarding school in Maga.

According to the Presidency, the visit aims to deliver the Federal Government’s sympathy to the state, reassure worried parents and guardians, and reaffirm the administration’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safe and speedy return of the kidnapped students.

The President has also sent his condolences to the Nigerian military over the death of brave soldiers, including Brigadier-General Musa Uba, who lost their lives while battling insurgents in Borno State.

He described their deaths as a painful reminder of the courage and dedication required to defend the nation.

Tinubu, who was briefed by military authorities on both tragic incidents, expressed deep sadness that the abduction occurred despite intelligence reports warning of a possible bandit attack in the area.

He praised Governor Mohammed Nasir Idris for his proactive efforts to prevent the kidnapping and called for stronger cooperation between state officials and security agencies.

Condemning the security lapse that allowed the abduction, the President said the attack was not only an assault on the affected community but also a direct setback to the nation’s efforts to guarantee safe and uninterrupted education for all Nigerian children.

He said the incident highlights the need for stronger community vigilance and better intelligence-sharing between residents and security personnel, especially in areas facing ongoing threats from criminal gangs.

President Tinubu stressed that security agencies cannot function effectively without the active support of citizens.

He urged community leaders, traditional rulers, local vigilante groups, and residents to provide timely and credible information that could help track down the perpetrators and prevent future incidents.

“As Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, I am deeply pained by the tragic deaths of our soldiers and officers while performing their sacred duty. May God comfort the families of Brigadier-General Musa Uba and our other fallen heroes, and may their courage continue to inspire the nation,” the President said.

He added that the abduction of innocent schoolgirls was especially troubling, noting that no society can allow criminals driven by greed and cruelty to disrupt children’s education.

“I am equally distressed that heartless terrorists have disrupted the education of innocent schoolgirls. I have directed our security agencies to mobilise all necessary resources to ensure the girls are safely returned to Kebbi State without delay,” Tinubu stated.

The President reaffirmed that his administration remains determined to restore peace to all troubled parts of the country.

He assured Nigerians that the ongoing security reforms — from increased recruitment to better equipment and technology — are designed to strengthen the nation’s ability to tackle insurgency, banditry, and other emerging threats.

“Our security forces cannot succeed in protecting us if the people do not cooperate and share information that will help them make our communities safe. I urge community leaders and compatriots, especially those in the theatres of operation, to share useful information. Your cooperation is crucial to overcoming these security challenges,” he said.

Vice President Shettima is expected to meet with state officials, families of the abducted girls, traditional rulers, and security commanders during his visit.

The Senate on Tuesday called for an immediate investigation into the over $30 million spent on Nigeria’s safe-school programme.

The red chamber further appealed to President Bola Tinubu to approve the recruitment of 100,000 additional soldiers to confront the rising wave of school abductions nationwide.

These resolutions stemmed from a motion of urgent national importance raised by Abdullahi Yahaya, the senator representing Kebbi North.

Lawmakers’ outrage intensified after Monday’s attack on Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, where terrorists killed the vice-principal, injured a school guard, and abducted 25 students despite police presence.

The incident reignited demands for a total overhaul of the nation’s security system and a thorough audit of school-safety funds disbursed since 2014.

During the session presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, proceedings began with a sombre reflection on the attack before senators entered a closed-door meeting to discuss confidential security issues.

A minute of silence was held in honour of the slain vice-principal, followed by prayers for the safe rescue of the kidnapped students.

Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo North, condemned the safe-school initiative, arguing that billions spent by federal, state and donor agencies had failed to secure vulnerable schools.

“What happened to the money earmarked for the safe school programme? People have turned security into business,” Oshiomhole said.

“We cannot monetise the deaths of our citizens. If these funds were properly used, we should not still be witnessing terrorists walking into schools to kidnap children with ease.”

Oshiomhole also urged the swift recruitment of 100,000 new military personnel, insisting that the current manpower is inadequate.

“We don’t have enough men and women in uniform to cover this country,” the former Edo State governor said.
“This recruitment will not only boost our defence capacity but also provide employment for our youth.”

Akpabio endorsed the investigation, stressing that Nigerians deserve full accountability following recurrent attacks on schoolchildren.

“These criminals are going after soft targets. We must find out why the safe-school programme has failed to protect them,” he said.

Ahmad Lawan, a former Senate President, cautioned that Nigeria risks “losing an entire generation” if these attacks persist.

Orji Kalu, senator representing Abia North, urged state governors to share responsibility in security management, citing his own experience in office.

“Security should not only be the job of the federal government. I have never blamed former President Olusegun Obasanjo while I was a governor,” he said.
“I had gone out of my way to help Anambra and other states in terms of security.”

Victor Umeh, senator representing Anambra Central, advocated for technology-driven intelligence to locate and rescue the abducted students.

“This matter is what many people don’t want to discuss anymore. But it is a matter of national importance,” Umeh said.
“They were taken away and are still being moved around. So, we urge security agencies to deploy their technology to find them.”

Simon Lalong, senator representing Plateau South, questioned the performance of the World Bank–supported safe-school initiative, drawing comparisons to the 2014 Chibok kidnappings.

“This is the same fate that befell our Chibok girls. It should be treated as a matter of national security before it turns into another Chibok experience,” Lalong said.

Sani Musa, senator representing Niger East, noted that the armed forces are overstretched and called for greater involvement of community leaders in intelligence gathering.

The Senate agreed to establish an ad hoc committee made up of members from the finance, defence, army, air force, education and police affairs committees to scrutinise all appropriations and expenditures under the safe-school programme.

The Senate also approved an additional motion by Oshiomhole seeking the recruitment of 100,000 youths into the military and the deployment of advanced surveillance and intelligence technology to fight insecurity.

Worshippers in Eruku, a border town in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, were attacked during a church service on the evening of Tuesday, November 18, 2025, when suspected bandits opened fire inside a parish of the Christ Apostolic Church. The incident occurred shortly after 6 p.m., interrupting a special service and resulting in multiple deaths and abductions. Around the same period, another group of attackers struck along the Ilorin–Kabba Road, forcing travellers to abandon their vehicles and flee into nearby bushes.

The attacks are the latest in a series of assaults reported in the community over the past three weeks. Residents say they have repeatedly alerted authorities about unusual movements in nearby forest corridors but received no substantial action before Tuesday’s incidents.

As search efforts continue for the abducted worshippers, including the church pastor, security operatives have expanded operations across bush paths linking Kwara to Kogi State. The events have renewed concerns about unchecked bandit activity in border regions and the vulnerability of rural communities to coordinated attacks.

The Events of the Attack

According to accounts gathered from community members and security authorities, the attackers struck in two coordinated operations on the same day.

The first incident unfolded inside a branch of the Christ Apostolic Church during a special service. Witnesses say the attackers stormed the building, shooting indiscriminately. “The gunmen came into the church while people were gathered. They started shooting, and three people died immediately,” an eyewitness recounted. The assailants then rounded up several worshippers, including the pastor, and forced them into the bush. The exact number of abductees is still unknown.

Police later confirmed that two victims, identified as Mr. Aderemi and Mr. Tunde Asaba Ajayi, were found dead — one inside the church and the other in a nearby bush. A vigilante member, Segun Alaja, sustained gunshot wounds while attempting to repel the attackers.

Shortly after the church invasion, the bandits launched another assault along the Ilorin–Kabba Road. A traveller caught in the chaos described the incident in a distressing voice recording:

“They came around 6:30 p.m. and started shooting. Two people were killed instantly, and we don’t even know how many were taken… They are still shooting, you can hear it.”

Residents say Eruku has been under “perpetual attacks” for weeks, with community leader Mr. Benjamin Ayeoribe lamenting the lack of effective government response:

“We have begged the local and state governments for help, but nothing concrete has come. We are living in fear every day… We need federal help.”

Reactions

Public Reactions From X (formerly Twitter)

@Clems_Andy:
“I watched this as though I was inside that church.
Do you know the feeling of being attacked and surrounded by gun-wielding terrorists shooting sporadically?
Do you know what it feels like to be completely defenseless in the face of death?
Do you know what it means to surrender yourself entirely to the mercy of God?”

@lapnengyitbe:
“Nigeria is burning — schools attacked, churches invaded, girls kidnapped, yet no national address, no urgency.
But a state of emergency was declared in Rivers instantly over politics.
If terrorists can shoot for 40 minutes and escape, but citizens get tracked for tweets, then the problem is not capacity… it’s priority.
This government has failed.”

@TheToff_:
“I kon dey fear go church on Sunday.
See what this country has become.”

@korede:
“If this live stream wasn’t here, the government would have most likely come out to deny it.”

These reactions reflect widespread national sentiment — fear, anger, and a growing distrust in the authorities’ capacity to protect citizens.

Security Measures Taken in Response to the Attack

In the immediate aftermath, security agents — including police operatives, vigilantes, and local hunters — launched coordinated search-and-rescue missions across border forests leading to Kogi State.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, officers from the Eruku Division “swiftly responded to gunshots,” forcing the attackers to flee into the bush. Joint operations have since been expanded, with patrols stationed along the Ilorin–Kabba Road to prevent further ambushes.

Community security groups, although overwhelmed, continue to support rescue efforts by setting up night patrols and deploying local trackers. Border surveillance has also been strengthened, and intelligence sharing with neighbouring state commands is reportedly underway.

Despite these steps, residents insist that the measures are insufficient without federal reinforcement, especially as attacks have persisted for weeks despite multiple distress calls.

What the Government Is Saying

The Kwara State Police Command confirmed the attack and stated that investigations are ongoing to identify the perpetrators and rescue the abducted victims. In a statement, Commissioner of Police Adekimi Ojo commended the “swift response” of security teams and assured residents that operations will continue “until these hoodlums are totally decimated.”

However, neither the state government nor federal authorities have issued a comprehensive public address detailing long-term intervention plans. This silence has intensified nationwide criticism, with many questioning the government’s priorities amid rising insecurity.

For communities like Eruku, the immediate demand remains clear: urgent federal support, sustained patrol presence, and actionable strategies to prevent further loss of life.