Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has confirmed that security forces have rescued dozens of people abducted in a series of attacks last week, including worshippers seized during a church service in Kwara State and students kidnapped in Niger State.

In a statement released on his official X account, Tinubu said that among those freed were 38 worshippers abducted during a church program in Eruku, Kwara State, as well as students taken during an armed assault on St. Mary’s School in Niger State. Local authorities earlier reported that more than 300 students and teachers had been captured in the school attack, marking one of the country’s largest mass abductions in recent years.

According to Nigerian security officials, coordinated operations across Kwara and Niger States led to the recovery of many of the victims. Dozens of students in Niger State also managed to escape on their own in the hours following the attack, returning to their families.

Tinubu, who cancelled his planned trip to the G20 Summit in Johannesburg to personally supervise the security response, emphasized the government’s determination to protect all Nigerians.
“Let me be clear: I will not relent. Every Nigerian has the right to security, and under my watch, we will secure this nation and protect our people,” he said.

The president also directed police officers assigned to the protection of “very important persons” to return to core policing duties, stressing that many rural communities remain vulnerable due to insufficient security presence. He added that police deployment across remote districts would be increased in light of ongoing threats.

The Nigerian government continues search-and-rescue efforts, as several teachers and students remain in captivity following the Niger school attack. Authorities say operations will continue until all victims are accounted for. (ILKHA)