From Ismail Adebayo (Birnin Kebbi), Abubakar Akote (Minna), Mumini Abdulkareem (Ilorin), Salim Umar Ibrahim & Ibrahim Musa Giginyu (Kano), Itodo Daniel Sule, Hussein Yahaya, Baba Martins, Seun Adeuyi (Abuja) & Hamisu Kabir Matazu (Maiduguri)

Twenty four students of the Government Comprehensive Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Danko Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, who were abducted about nine days ago, have been rescued.

SPONSOR AD

Confirming their rescue to journalists in Birnin Kebbi, yesterday, Governor Nasir Idris said the girls were on their way to the state capital for proper medical check -up before they would be received formally today by the state government and reunited with their families.

It would be recalled that the schoolgirls were abducted from their hostels around 4:34 am on Monday, November 17, 2025, by bandits who invaded their school. The vice principal and head of security of the school were killed in the attack.

“We want to announce to the world that our girls have been rescued. We did not pay any ransom to anybody before they are rescued. We are already making arrangements for their reception tomorrow,” the governor said.

He said their rescue was due to the marching order given to the military hierarchy to ensure the girls were rescued in good time. “We have to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his efforts which led to the rescue our girls,” he added.

Credible sources within the military and the presidency told Daily Trust last night that the schoolgirls were rescued from a forest in Zamfara State.

One of the sources said: “It is true that the schoolgirls have been recovered. The kidnappers actually took them to the vast Anka forest in neighbouring Zamfara State.”

Asked how they were recovered and whether ransom was paid, the source said, “The most important thing is that they have been recovered. You know, it is a complicated issue…the abduction of many girls.

“A lot of effort was put into it and gladly, the girls are no longer with the kidnappers.”

A military source, who also spoke to Daily Trust, said, “It was a delicate rescue operation.”

According to him, “The girls would have been recovered long before now but sadly, the bandits were using them as human shield, therefore, you cannot use kinetic approach.

“On the other hand, the bandits also knew that there was a limit to how long they could keep the girls in the bush,” he said.

On the reason behind the rise in abductions of students and other citizens, another source said, “The truth is that the threat from the United States is the major factor.

“The bandits are also in a panic mode. This is why they are picking people as human shield…They know that it is very unlikely for the authorities to attack them using reconnaissance or ground troops.”

President Tinubu has welcomed the release of the schoolgirls. This was disclosed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy in a statement on Tuesday.

The president also charged security operatives to intensify efforts and ensure the release of other Nigerians in captivity.

“I am relieved that all the 24 girls have been accounted for. Now, we must put as a matter of urgency more boots on the ground in the vulnerable areas to avert further incidents of kidnapping.

“My government will offer all the assistance needed to achieve this,” President Tinubu said.

More children recovered in Niger – Bago

Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago yesterday said more of the children abducted from St. Mary Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, have been recovered from their captors.

He said the news of their recovery was received on Tuesday morning, but the exact number of children retrieved was yet to be ascertained.

The governor disclosed this while receiving the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, who visited the state over its growing security challenges.

“As of this morning, we have information about some recoveries, but the numbers have not yet been confirmed. Once they are ascertained, we will make it public. We want to thank the security agencies – the Police, DSS, and the Army – for their concerted efforts so far.

“Even the local communities have assisted. The Catholic Church has also been wonderful in this process, and I want to thank them for their perseverance and prayers. They declared a three-day fast yesterday (Monday), and we are all fasting so that we can get the children back safely,” he said.

Governor Bago noted that the IGP’s visit underscored the need for continuous collaboration with security agencies in protecting citizens.

He said the Department of State Services had opened a register for parents of kidnapped children to document their missing wards, but as of Monday, only 14 parents had registered. He urged parents to come forward so that the government and security agencies can determine the exact number of missing children and avoid discrepancies between the Catholic Church and government agencies.

Speaking earlier, the IGP, Egbetokun, said several abductions had been foiled by security operatives, though many of these successes were not made public. He added that multiple arrests had been made and large quantities of weapons recovered.

“Niger State is at the centre of many of these evolving threats. The recent incidents, the displacement of vulnerable communities, rising pressure on border areas, and the boldness of criminal networks demand our immediate and coordinated response. From the state government to security agencies, traditional rulers, and community security networks, we need united action to address these challenges,” he said.

He noted that the responsibility of rescuing the remaining children and staff still in captivity rests on the government and security agencies, adding that more tactical assets and intelligence capabilities had been deployed to ensure their safe return.

Earlier at plenary, the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly accused security agencies of failing to act on intelligence provided by both government and communities regarding terrorists’ assembly points in Niger North.

“It is time to call a spade a spade. As a government and as a people, we are doing our best. We have all the intelligence at our disposal and have largely identified the problem, but unfortunately, there is no proactiveness on the part of the security agencies.

“Although defence matters fall under the exclusive legislative list and outside our purview, we represent our people and carry their voice. These banditry issues escalated in Niger North (Zone C) through just one or two roads. We have held several meetings and sent complaints to Brigade Commanders, the Commissioner of Police, the DSS—there is no security agency unaware of those routes: the Mai-Laka Road and Kuregi Road. Any bandit operating in Niger North—from Mariga, Magama, Rijau, Mashegu, Borgu to Agwara—passes through these areas to settle across the region.

“All the governor has asked for is the deployment of a Forward Operating Base (FOB) to Mai-Laka to block this access, but this has not happened till now,” he said.

Bandits abduct women, children, others in Kano, Kwara

Meanwhile, bandits on Monday evening attacked some communities in Kano and Kwara states and kidnapped residents, including women and children.

In Kano, at least eight people, including women and teenagers, were abducted Monday night when armed bandits launched coordinated attacks on multiple communities in Tsanyawa Local Government Area of Kano State.

The attackers, who residents say came from neighbouring Katsina State, invaded the communities between 10pm and midnight, storming villages on foot and on motorcycles while firing shots into the air to scare residents.

In Biresawa and neighbouring Tsundu village, eight people; two men and six women were taken away, according to a community source who spoke to Daily Trust on condition of anonymity.

“They came as usual, and from our findings so far, two males and six females were taken away by the bandits. Up till now, there is no news of their whereabouts,” he said.

A resident, Kabiru Usman, whose wife, daughter and relatives were kidnapped, described the attack as terrifying and overwhelming.

“They came on foot, armed with guns. They kidnapped my wife, Umma; my 17-year-old daughter, Fati; my brother’s wife, and two other women,” he said.

He added that some residents attempted to repel the attackers but were overpowered.

“We tried to stop them, but our weapons were no match for them because they were carrying guns,” he said.

Usman also revealed that the community had informed security agencies earlier in the night after receiving reports of suspicious movements.

“Before the attack, we got a report that they were heading towards us. We notified the police and military ahead of time because they gave us their numbers and asked us to call if we got any information,” he said.

In separate attack around the same period, over 50 motorcycles carrying armed men reportedly stormed Sarmawa, Yan Chibi and Gano villages, also in Tsanyawa LGA, abducting an unspecified number of residents.

A resident of Yan Chibi, who fled during the raid, said, “About 50 bandits on motorcycles came into our community, shooting in the air. We all ran for safety. Later we discovered that they had abducted some people, mostly women. I can’t tell you how many, but I know it is more than 10.”

He added that the bandits also attacked neighbouring villages before escaping toward Katsina.

A vigilante source in the area confirmed that communities had earlier noticed the presence of strange faces and had begun mobilising local guards. He said a pursuit was attempted after the abductions, but the bandits managed to flee.

He noted that residents across the area have been living in fear following recent attacks in neighbouring Shanono and Bagwai LGAs, adding that many families now avoid sleeping in their homes at night as a safety strategy.

When contacted, the Kano State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, acknowledged the attacks but said he was still gathering information and could not provide the number of casualties or villages affected at that time.

Pregnant woman, 10 others kidnapped in fresh Kwara attack

At least eleven residents have been abducted following the invasion of Isapa, a community neighbouring Eruku in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The latest attack which happened on Monday evening comes just days after bandits invaded nearby Eruku, where three persons were killed and thirty-eight others abducted during a church thanksgiving service.

Residents said the latest attack was carried out by about 20 armed bandits who stormed the community with a large herd of cattle.

They reportedly fired sporadically as they advanced, forcing residents to flee for safety.

An elderly woman was reportedly hit by a stray bullet during the incident.

A community leader, who confirmed the development under strict anonymity, said “eleven people were kidnapped, seven of them from the same household.

“The victims include a pregnant woman, two nursing mothers, and several young children,” he said.

Those abducted were identified as Talatu Kabiru, 20; Magaji, 6; Kande, 5; Hadiza, 10; Mariam, 6; Saima, 5; a housewife, Habibat; another housewife, Fatima Yusufu; a pregnant woman, Sarah Sunday, 22; a nursing mother, Lami Fidelis, 23; and another nursing mother, Haja Na Allah.

Eyewitnesses said the gunmen moved through sections of the town, leaving bullet holes in walls and doors.

Expended AK-47 shells were later recovered from several points in the community after the attackers retreated with their captives.

Speaking with Daily Trust on Tuesday, the Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, confirmed the incident.

He said, “Yes, there was an incident, but I cannot say much now. I am about to enter Isapa from Ilorin. I will update you when I get there.”

However, in a statement later on Tuesday evening, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the Police Public Relations Officer, said the operatives have launched a search for the victims.

“Preliminary findings revealed that at about 1805hrs, a group of armed men suspected to be herders invaded the village shooting sporadically.

“As a result, a woman sustained a gunshot wound to her leg; she has since been treated and discharged. Further details from police operatives showed that 10 persons were later abducted.

“In response to the gravity of the situation, CP Adekimi Ojo, visited Isapa community for an on-the-spot assessment and assured residents of intensified operational efforts to rescue the victims safely and restore confidence in the area.

“A search-and-rescue operation is currently underway, involving police tactical teams and local vigilante groups, who are combing the surrounding bushes with the objective of rescuing the victims and apprehending the culprits.

‘‘Normalcy has been restored in the village, and the situation remains under strict monitoring”, the statement added.

Speaking with Daily Trust, the president of the Isapa Peoples Union, Dr Joel Adeyeye, confirmed the incident, explaining that the attack occurred around 6.30 in the evening on Monday.

Adeyeye said one of the kidnapped victims, a woman, was released on Tuesday morning at Eruku, the same location where another abduction took place last week.

Adeyeye’s counterpart in Eruku told Daily Trust that the victims were mostly farmers who stayed on the outskirts of Oke Esa.

He said, “We learnt the victims were farmer settlers and most of them stayed in their farms on the outskirts of the town in Oke Esa which is part of Isapa but a different community.”

On the previously rescued Eruku victims, he said, “We are yet to receive them here. Some of them are still receiving medical attention in Ilorin. But anytime from now, they will be brought home.”

He added that they were held in a forest area around Fufu in Kwara State. The chairman of Ekiti Local Government, Hon Awelewa Olawale, responded briefly, saying, “Please call me back, I am in a security meeting now,” before ending the call.

The lawmaker representing Ekiti in the State House of Assembly, Hon Abolarin Ganiyu Gabriel, described the attack as unexpected.

He said, “Nobody was expecting bandits to enter the community which was around six thirty in the evening on Monday. Our people were just coming from their daily work and just entering the community to relax when they struck shooting everywhere.”

He confirmed that eleven people were taken but added, “Two fortunately escaped from them today leaving nine of them.”

Borno: Abductors of female teenagers demand N10m ransom

The abductors of 13 teenage female farmers in Borno State are demanding N10 million ransom, according to family members.

Daily Trust had reported how Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists abducted the female farmers on Saturday.

Speaking to our correspondent on Tuesday, a relative of one of the abductees, said they contacted one of the female farmers who regained freedom.

“You know, it’s not that the girl escaped on her own. The abductors deliberately released her after realizing that she was a breast feeding mother.

“And, before she left, one of the abductors confiscated her phone and gave her a new SIM card, instructing her to insert it in a phone when she arrived home.

“Immediately the SIM was inserted, the phone call came in, and the abductors demanded a ransom of N10 million for their release,” he said.

He said the demand put forward by the assailants has thrown the community into a very difficult situation.

“We are a poor farming community scrambling for what to eat. Where can we get such an amount of money to secure the release of these girls?” he queried.

He appealed to the government and well-to-do in the society to help in facilitating the release of the young girls currently in the hands of their abductors.

When contacted, the spokesman of the Borno State Police command, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, said he was not aware of the development, but promised to reach out for update and revert.

He also assured the community of police commitment to ensure safe return of their children.

Wike puts security operatives on red alert

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has directed that security be beefed up around Abuja, with improved surveillance at all borders with neighbouring states and entry points.

To this effect, the Operation Sweep Squad composed of a joint military taskforce, police, Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies have been deployed to different parts of the nation’s capital.

Addressing the team on Tuesday, the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Miller Dantawaye, charged them to create the synergy required to eliminate crime and criminality across the FCT. Dantawaye noted that Minister Wike, who directed the operation, has also provided enough logistics to ensure its success and guarantee adequate safety and security for residents.

The CP, who was supported by other heads of security agencies, also announced that Service Chiefs and the IGP had approved the operation designed to address all criminalities, especially as the yuletide approaches.

He disclosed that the team has been detailed to pay attention to the areas most vulnerable to kidnapping and banditry, ensuring safety for all residents.

“The FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, has given complete support, especially in terms of logistics for this operation. He has given approval, and I am sure that by the time we’ll be leaving here later, I mean today, the funds for fuelling, for servicing of the vehicles and even allowances for the men will have dropped into an account that we can assess,” he added.

On the influx of beggars into the city centre, the CP stated that the security agencies are collaborating with relevant departments of the FCTA to tackle the menace.

He added that while the legal requirements on the evacuation of street beggars are being perfected, anyone arrested in black spots would be profiled because some criminals often disguise as beggars.

Tinubu orders 24-hour aerial cordon on Kwara, Kebbi, Niger forests

President Tinubu has ordered a total security cordon around forests in Kwara, Kebbi and Niger states.

The president directed the security to maintain 24- hour surveillance and link up with the boots on the ground.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, disclosed this via a post on his X handle on Tuesday.

President Tinubu ordered the Nigerian Air Force to intensify aerial surveillance over the deepest stretches of the forests where criminals are believed to be hiding.

The operation, he noted, will run round the clock, with air assets maintaining constant communication and coordination with ground troops.

Dare explained that the directive will be in all axis, where joint operations are expected to facilitate the rescue of kidnapped victims.

Communities in the affected regions have also been urged to provide timely intelligence on suspicious movements to aid security forces in restoring safety, Dare added.

Why security agencies can’t bomb bandits — Presidency

Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has said that security agencies know the identities and locations of the bandit groups behind recent mass abductions, including last week’s attack on St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Niger State.

Speaking on ARISE News’ Prime Time on Monday, Onanuga said intelligence available to security operatives is often difficult to act on directly because kidnapped victims are usually kept within or around the bandits’ hideouts, making large-scale attacks risky.

“The security people know all the bandits operating in that axis. They know them. They know where they operate,” he said.

He explained that the military cannot simply launch airstrikes even when the enclaves are identified.

“Our people are living around where they operate. So you can’t just go there. They need to be very careful that in the course of chasing these bandits, they don’t go and bomb innocent Nigerians,” he said.

Onanuga cited a previous incident in Borno State in which civilians were accidentally struck, saying security agencies remain cautious to avoid a repeat. “Some years ago in Borno State, when the military thought they had the right satellite connection, they bombed the wrong people. They must avoid that kind of mistake,” he said.

You are not doing enough, lawmakers tell government, security agencies

Members of the House of Representatives yesterday lamented the escalating security challenges bedevilling the country in recent times, saying, the government and security agencies have not done enough in tackling the problem.

The lawmakers made their submissions at a special session convened by the House leadership to deliberate on the security crisis rocking various parts of the country.

The session was witnessed by officials from the United States Embassy, Speaker of the Parliament of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Rt. Hon. Lanien Blanchette, along with members of parliament and cabinet ministers.  There were also civil society organisations in attendance.

Members, who spoke during the debate, said there was urgent need for security agencies to take proactive measures in addressing the security challenges rather than resorting to a fire brigade approach.

Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, in his submission, said the government has not done enough to protect citizens, warning that the country is gradually drifting into a state where life has become “nasty, brutish and short.”

Chinda said Nigerians now travel in fear, live with uncertainty and rely on prayers for the safe return of loved ones, a situation he described as a failure of the state.

“My dear colleagues, the task is very heavy because we cannot pretend that we do not have insecurity problems in this country.  Government is still sleeping. Nothing fundamental has been done. Nothing! We cannot continue with the fire brigade approach. Must we wait until our children are kidnapped before we take steps? And when 20 are kidnapped, we recover two; we beat our chests that we are achieving. What about the 18? Dear colleagues, we recall, there is no week that this chamber has not discussed the issue of insecurity.

“Not one week without a motion on insecurity. And at the end of the day, all we do is observe one minute silence. I think that the time has come for us to unite, if not as a country, as parliamentarians”, he said.

He proposed the establishment of a National Border Force backed by technology, a shift towards state or community policing, and a more assertive legislative oversight of security agencies.

Security agencies’ best not good enough – Doguwa

On his part, a former Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado Doguwa (APC, Kano) said despite the efforts claimed by the federal government and security agencies, “Their best is not good enough.”

Doguwa said he had listened to the submissions of relevant security related committee chairmen but insisted the realities across the country contradict official claims of progress.

“Mr Speaker, with every sense of responsibility and without any fear of equivocation, their best is not good enough. The security situation in Nigeria today is horrific, it is tragic, and it is unspeakable,” he said.

Doguwa said insecurity has escalated nationwide, adding that citizens are now “ravaged by tension, fear and despair” due to what he described as a near-collapse of state protection structures.

The lawmaker said the situation has degenerated into what he termed “a complete war against humanity,” warning that insecurity no longer has boundaries.

He said the country has reached a crisis point that requires urgent and extraordinary legislative intervention, calling for possible shut down of the House to show the seriousness of the matter.

Referencing the House delegation’s recent visit to Kebbi State, Doguwa said the dire state of insecurity is evident even among state leaders.

Doguwa noted that while security is constitutionally a federal responsibility, state governors appear “overwhelmed,” with the crisis escalating across all geopolitical zones.

The Kano lawmaker warned that the insecurity challenge is now a direct threat to democratic stability in the country.

Doguwa urged the House to go beyond motions and verbal condemnations, saying Nigerians expect decisive action.

Remain undaunted, resolute, Speaker Abbas urges Nigerians

Earlier in his opening remarks before the debate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, charged Nigerians to remain undaunted by the recent activities of terrorists and bandits, urging them to remain united in tackling the security challenges.

He also urged Nigerians to be wary of fake news, misinformation, and disinformation following recent attacks, warning that the abuse of social media can aggravate the tensions and fears in the land.

The Speaker said the events of the past weeks were troubling, saying, “the various attacks are not only coordinated but also designed to destabilise our country.”

“Their purpose is to instil fear, weaken public confidence, and give the illusion of being everywhere at once. Nigeria must reject this tactic. We must resist fear and stand firm against those who rely on cruelty and spectacle to advance their evil ideologies.”

The Speaker said the decision of the House to suspend all other matters to focus on national security was neither symbolic nor procedural but “reflects the seriousness of the moment and our duty to speak for our constituents.”

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for showing leadership and stimulating a swift response from the security forces in addressing the challenges.

Kalu, Ihonvbere, Defence, Police committee chairs canvass way forward

In his contribution, House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere argued that addressing insecurity requires a coherent national strategy anchored on strong political will, modernised defence architecture and better coordination among security agencies.

He emphasised that Nigeria must strengthen leadership at all levels—federal, state and local—to drive both kinetic and non-kinetic responses. He identified the need to amend the Armed Forces Act, sharpen the roles of service chiefs, and end inter-agency rivalry to improve effectiveness.

He stressed the urgency of adopting technology-driven security solutions, including drones, precision air assets and a nationwide early-warning system to prevent attacks before they occur. Ihonvbere called for the expansion of intelligence gathering at community level, greater involvement of traditional institutions and enhanced welfare for police and civil defence officers.

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu proposed sweeping legislative reforms as the primary pathway to tackling insecurity, insisting that Nigeria’s problem is not the absence of strong laws but weak institutions, poor funding and misalignment between policy and execution.

He called for an overhaul of the policing structure, including predictable funding, transparent auditing of police finances and an end to unregulated donations that breed corruption.

Kalu argued that decentralising policing whether through state police, community policing or hybrid models has become inevitable to meet diverse security needs.

Babajimi Benson, Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, and Makki Yalleman, Chairman of the House Committee on Police Affairs, in their separate submissions, outlined urgent measures needed to halt Nigeria’s escalating insecurity, warning that the country risks deeper instability unless bold reforms are implemented immediately.

Benson said Nigeria must “change the way it fights this war” by upgrading its arsenal, reforming military deployment patterns and boosting local defence production.

He argued that the armed forces are overstretched and require both modern equipment and better coordination to stabilise rural communities where banditry and terrorism have surged.

On his part, Yalleman renewed the call for the creation of state police backed by clear constitutional safeguards, describing the current centralised structure as “too slow, too thin and too disconnected from the communities it should protect.”