ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu has postponed his scheduled trip to Johannesburg, South Africa and Luanda, Angola, as he awaits further security briefings on the kidnapping of Kebbi schoolgirls and the attack on Christ Apostolic Church worshippers at Eruku, Kwara State, which claimed three lives and the abduction of many
The postponement of the President’s trip for the G20 and AU-EU summits came against the backdrop of the invasion of a church at Eruku in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State on Monday; kidnap of 25 female students and killing of the vice principal of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, GGCSS, Maga, Kebbi State; and the killing of commander of the 25 Taskforce Brigade, Brig-General Musa Uba.
Responding to the request of the governor of Kwara State, Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman, President Tinubu also yesterday ordered the deployment of more security men to Eruku and Ekiti Local Government Area of the state, and directed the police to go after the bandits who attacked worshippers.
President Tinubu was scheduled to leave Abuja yesterday to attend the 20th G20 Summit of leaders in South Africa and, thereafter, proceed to Luanda, Angola, to attend the 7th AU-EU Summit.
Disturbed by the security breaches in Kebbi State and Monday’s attack by bandits against worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church in Kwara State, the President decided to suspend his departure.
A statement by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, also said the President was waiting for reports from Vice President Kashim Shettima, who paid a sympathy visit to Kebbi on his behalf, as well as the police and the Department of State Services, DSS, regarding the attack in Kwara.
Tinubu reiterated his directive to the security agencies to do everything possible to rescue the schoolgirls abducted by the bandits and bring them back home safely.
Recall that the President had in his reaction to the recent terrorists attacks and abduction of school girls, said: “As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, I am depressed with the tragic death of our soldiers and officers on active duty. May God comfort the families of Brigadier General Musa Uba and other fallen heroes.
“I am also depressed that heartless terrorists have disrupted the education of innocent schoolgirls. I have directed the security agencies to act swiftly and bring the girls back to Kebbi State.”
Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima, yesterday in Birnin-Kebbi, described the abduction of the schoolgirls at Maga as a national tragedy, saying the federal government would use all state apparatus to rescue the girls.
Recall that President Tinubu on Tuesday, dispatched Shettima to Kebbi State to assess ther situation on ground and commiserate with the government and People of Kebbi State over the kidnap saga.
“Mr President is deeply troubled by this tragedy. He shares your anguish, and he has sent me to assure you that this is not a moment for politics. This grief transcends party lines, geography, and identity.
‘’This is a time for unity, for compassion, and for firm resolve in the face of evil. Our priority is singular and unflinching: our daughters must return home safely,’’ Shettima said.
He noted that Nigeria would not rest until all the girls were rescued using all available state apparatus in the rescue operations.
Shettima pledged that the Federal Government would honour and take care of the families of late vice principal who sacrificed his life to defend his students.
“We will honour and take care of the family of the vice principal of the school. His sacrifice will not be in vain,’’ the VP stated.
He commended the military, Police, DSS and NSCDC for their efforts in the front line, working hard to protect Nigerians.
Shettima also alluded to the late Brigadier-General Musa Uba for paying the supreme price in the battle field, saying his sacrifice would not go in vain.
He lauded the efforts of Kebbi State governor, Dr Nasir Idris, describing him as true son of the north and one of the best governor in the region.
Governor, Idris thanked President Tinubu and the vice president for standing with Kebbi in its hour of grief. “We appreciate your coming to Kebbi to symphatise with us and we have absolute confidence in mister president capabilities in terms of insecurity.”
LG chairman releases names of abducted Kebbi students
Also yesterday, the chairman of Dank-Wasagu Local Government Area, Hussaini Aliyu, released the names of the abducted students.
They include: Senior Secondary School 2A – Fatima Sani Zimri; Hafsat Ibrahim; Nana Firdausi Jibril; and Masauda Yakubu Romo.
Those in Senior Secondary School 2B include Hauwa Saleh; Hauwau Umar Imam; while those in Senior Secondary School 3A & 3B are Salima Garba Umar; Salima Sani Zimri; Amina G. Umar; Rashida Muhammad Dingu; Saliha Umar; Aisha Usman; Jamila Iliyasu; Maryam Illiyasu; Najaatu Abdullahi; and Zainab Kolo
In Junior Secondary School 3A are Surraya Tukur; Hafsat Umar Yalmo; Maryam Usman; Amina Illiyasu; and Ikilima Suleman. Those in Junior Secondary School 2 are Khadija Nazifi; Hauwa’u Iliyasu; Hauwa’u Lawali; and Ummu Kulsum Abdulkarim.
JNI decries abduction of Kebbi schoolgirls, demands decisive govt’s action
Reacting to the kidnap of the Kebbi schoolgirls, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a “heartless and avoidable tragedy.”
In a statement issued yesterday by the Secretary-General, Prof. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, the Islamic body expressed deep concern over the recurring pattern of mass abductions in northern Nigeria, lamenting that the latest incident occurred barely days after a high-profile security summit in Birnin-Kebbi on November 10.
The JNI said it had been monitoring developments and was alarmed by what it called “glaring gaps in security coordination” within Kebbi State.
It referenced the recent kidnapping and release of the deputy speaker of Kebbi State House of Assembly, warning that such incidents reflected a troubling escalation of criminal audacity.
The body noted similarities between the Maga school abduction and previous high-profile attacks in Chibok, Dapchi, Kankara, and Kagara, questioning how the attackers managed to infiltrate the school with such precision.
It criticised what it described as the “reactive posture” of security operatives, arguing that parents were offered little information or reassurance after such incidents.
“This recurring tragedy is too much for parents to bear. Insecurity around schools, especially girls’ boarding schools, has become a major barrier to girl-child education in the region. No parent will now be comfortable, allowing their daughters to attend unprotected schools. And the North is the loser,’’ the group noted.
It condoled with the families of the slain vice-principal of the school and the parents of the abducted girls, praying for the safe return of all victims.
The JNI also urged intensified prayers, including Qunootun-Nawazil, Adhkar, and supplications, as spiritual support in this difficult period.
It called on governments at all levels to move beyond rhetoric and take bold, coordinated actions to secure the immediate release of the Kebbi schoolgirls and other victims still in captivity across the country.
“Enough should be enough,” it stressed.
The group also urged northern governors to prioritise maximum security for girls’ schools, warning that the North-Central could become the next target due to its vast forested terrain, stressing that preventive measures, not reactive responses, must now guide security strategy.
“The government must rise against the tide of insecurity in whatever guise before it becomes cataclysmic for the Nigerian state,” JNI added.
Bandits attack church, kill three, abduct many in Kwara community
On the Kwara attack, rampaging bandits shot three people and abducted many worshippers inside a church at Eruku in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State in a renewed onslaught on Tuesday.
Spokesperson of Eruku Community, Olasukanmi Ayeni who confirmed the development in an interview with Vanguard yesterday, said the victims were attacked right inside Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Isegun at Okeado Street around 6pm during Tuesday’s service.
Olasunkanmi, who identified the victims as Tunde Asabe, Segun Alaja and one Deremi, added that another girl with deep gun shot injury on her neck was still lying critically ill at the hospital.
“People were abducted inside the church, they are about ten but it could be more than that, the three corpses are still inside the church as we speak, “ he told Vanguard.
He said since about four weeks, the bandits had been making desperate attempts to penetrate the community through Eruku/Egbe and Eruku/ Omuaran roads but were successfully rebuffed until Tuesday when they gained access to the town.
He also said during the time bandits were making efforts to enter the community, several distress calls made to the state and local government were rebuffed, adding that Ekiti local government chairman, Wale Awelewa, who rebuffed several Save Our Soul calls, was yet to pay sympathy visit to the community.
Olasukanmi, however, commended the efforts of the local police which had been assisting the local vigilantes to chase the bandits away from the forests.
“The police in the community has been doing a fantastic job by following our local hunters to the forests to track the hideout of the bandits and chase them away, otherwise, it would have been worse for us. “All efforts we made to the state and local government when the bandits were making efforts to penetrate our community and were being resisted by our local hunters, were not answered.
“If they had answered us, this attack wouldn’t have happened. As we speak, the local government chairman hasn’t paid any visit to our community, it’s that bad.
Confirming the attack in a statement yesterday, the state police command spokesperson, Ejire Adetoun Adeyemi, said: “The Kwara State Police Command confirms an attempted bandit attack in Eruku, which occurred at about 18:00 hours on November 18, 2025.
“ The DPO Eruku and his team of Police operatives, in collaboration with vigilantes, swiftly responded to the sound of gunshots emanating from the outskirts of the town, prompting the hoodlums to flee into the bush.
“ Upon thorough search of the area, one male victim; Mr Aderemi ,was discovered fatally shot inside the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun; while one Mr Tunde Asaba Ajayi, another victim of fatal gunshot, was found in the bush. A vigilante, Segun Alaja, sustained gunshot injuries and was immediately rushed to ECWA Hospital, Eruku, for medical treatment.”
The Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo commended the swift response of the police and vigilantes, even as he assured the public that security agencies would not relent until these hoodlums were totally decimated .
Angry youths block Ilorin–Kabba road over attack
Following the attack, aggrieved youths in the area yesterday staged a major protest, blocking the Ilorin-Kabba highway and causing disruption to traffic.
When our correspondent visited the area at about 3:00 pm, several articulated vehicles Leading towards Kogi State were stranded.
The youths alleged that Tuesday’s attack, which lasted close to an hour, occurred without effective response from security operatives stationed in the community.
One of the protesters, Timothy Joshua, who said his wife and granddaughter were among those abducted in the church, accused the police of failing to intervene.
Similarly, a youth leader, Peter Adesiyan, criticised the police, saying despite the community’s support in building facilities for the division, officers did not act when residents needed them most.
Responding to the concerns, the Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo visited the town in company of the State Director of the Department of State Services.
He assured residents that additional personnel and an Armoured Personnel Carrier would be deployed to boost security in the area.
The traditional ruler of the town, Oba Busari Arinde Oyediran Olanrewaju, in his reaction, appealed to the youths to remain calm and allow security agencies to carry out their investigations.
Emir of Ilorin expresses sadness over church attack, abduction
The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Mai-Martaba Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, in his reaction, condemned the attack on the church.
In a statement by his Press Secretary, Dr. Abdulazeez Arowona, the monarch expressed concern over the incident, stressing that “it is most unfortunate, condemnable and worrisome.”
He said it was saddened that the dastardly and unpatriotic act occurred when governments at all levels were making concerted efforts towards getting the nation rid of banditry, terrorism and other criminal acts.
The Emir, however, appealed to security agencies to intensify efforts by mobilising forces for the safe return of all the kidnapped victims, even as he mourned those who were killed during the attack.
Gov Abdulrazaq condemns attack, seeks new layers of security deployment
In his immediate response to the attack, Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRaza,q requested that more and urgent security deployment be made to Ekiti Local Government Area, especially Eruku axis, to immediately curtail the new wave of attacks in the area.
The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaiye, yesterday, said: “The governor has sought immediate deployment of more security operatives to support the existing security architecture in the area
“He requested that this new measure be activated immediately. The governor wholly condemns the unconscionable attack, sympathises and identifies with the people of Eruku and environs, especially families and the CAC directly impacted by the condemnable attack of Tuesday.
“The state government will continue to support the security agencies to tackle these challenges and ensure safety of lives and properties across the state.’’
The governor also commended President Bola Tinubu for the deployment of 900 additional troops to Kwara, saying this was expected to strengthen security in the state.
“We have, indeed, seen appreciable calm in many areas previously affected. We sincerely thank the President for this. We are confident that the additional troops will provide further deterrence, overall safety for our people, and permanent calm,” the statement added.
Soldiers take over Kwara community
With the church attack, soldiers yesterday took over the community to avert further invasion by te bandits.
Community spokesman, Ayeni Olanipekun, who confirmed the development to Vanguard, said the state Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, was also at Eruku with his team.
“As we speak, the soldiers have taken over Eruku, the Commissioner of Police,Mr Ojo Adekimi, is also there with his team. “We learnt that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved their deployment to the community. We also learnt that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is also on his way to Eruku with his team.’
On efforts to rescue the victims, he said several of the local hunters deployed to search the forests had yet to return, stressing that efforts were ongoing to rescue them.
5 soldiers, one vigilante wounded; terrorists neutralized in Kebbi gunfight
On abducted Kebbi school girls, troops of 8 division/sector 2 Operation Fansan Yamma yesterday neutralized several terrorists/bandits during a clearance operation to dislodge bandits from identified enclaves in Kebbi State
Sources disclosed that contrary to narratives being peddled in certain media, the clearance operation was targeted at dismantling terrorists bases in the state to ensure that no further attacks or kidnappings were perpetrated in the state.
Asked if the troops were on a mission to rescue the 25 kidnapped students of Government Secondary School, Maga, when they were ambushed, the sources said: ‘’No. It was a different mission and we attacked them.
“They also attacked to safeguard their enclave. Several bandits were neutralized and we had a few wounded in action soldiers but no fatalities.”
Sources further said further: “Sequel to troops operations against bandits in Yauri by troops of 1 battalion deployed at Shanga, in conjunction with vigilantes, troops embarked on fighting patrol to Macrain village where bandits had rustled unconfirmed number of cattle.
The sources said the troops inflicted heavy casualties on the bandits during the engagement but noted that five soldiers and one vigilante sustained gunshot injuries.
The wounded soldiers were said to have been evacuated to Yawuri LGA hospital where they were stabilised before further evacuation to FMC Birnin Kebbi.
We’ll hold you accountable, US senator tells FG
Similarly, US senator, Jim Risch, of Idaho has condemned Nigeria over the recent abduction of of Kebbi schoolgirls, saying the country has repeatedly failed to protect its students from attacks by jihadists and criminal gangs.
In a statement posted on X on Tuesday, Risch highlighted that schoolchildren, particularly girls, remained prime targets for enslavement, forced conversion and ransom. He added that the United States would continue engaging the Nigerian government on the protection of its most vulnerable citizens, stressing that the country would be held accountable for lapses in security.
“Nigeria has long failed to protect its schoolchildren from jihadist and criminal abductions, and little has changed.
“As the U.S. engages the Nigerian government on the persecution of its most vulnerable citizens, we will continue to hold them accountable,’’ he wrote Recall that another US lawmaker, Riley Moore, had in a post shared on X yesterday, condemned the incident and called for prayers for the victims.
“Please join me in praying for the 25 girls who have been kidnapped and for the repose of the soul of their vice principal, who was killed,” he wrote.
VANGUARD.
