President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the rescue of 38 abducted worshippers in Kwara State and the return of 51 kidnapped students in Niger State.
In a statement on X, Tinubu said he cancelled his trip to the G20 Summit in South Africa to coordinate security operations, describing the move as necessary to ensure swift action.
He confirmed that all 38 worshippers taken from a Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku were freed after joint security efforts. He also announced that 51 students kidnapped from a Catholic school in Niger State had returned home.
Tinubu said he is receiving continuous updates on security issues nationwide, stressing: “Every Nigerian has the right to safety — and under my watch, we will secure this nation.”
His comments come amid growing public concern over rising insecurity.
In Kwara, armed men stormed a CAC branch in Eruku on Tuesday during a live-streamed service, forcing worshippers to flee before abducting some of them.
In Niger State, bandits also targeted St. Mary’s School in the Papiri community on Friday, kidnapping 303 pupils and 12 teachers. While Tinubu announced that 51 students were back, the state chapter of CAN and Bishop Bulus Yohanna said 50 had actually reunited with their families after escaping between Friday and Saturday.
