Following a spike in the security challenges in some parts of the country, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Tuesday, ordered a 24-hour aerial surveillance of the affected areas in Kebbi, Niger and Kwara states.

The presidential directive is coming as Kebbi state Governor Idris Nasir announced the successful rescue of the 24 female students of Government Girls Comprehensive School(GGCS), Maga, abducted on the 17th of November, 2025.

And as the families of Kebbi girls celebrate the return of their daughters, there are reports that the bandits struck in Isapa, another Kwara community bordering Eruku, where the recently released 38 persons were abducted during a church service in the town.

Eleven persons, including a pregnant woman, according to our findings, were kidnapped during the raid Monday evening, while some eight orders were also held captive in a village in Kano state.

…Tinubu’s marching order

But in a swift reaction to the plethora of security breaches, President Tinubu ordered a comprehensive security cordon on forests in Kwara, Kebbi and Niger states.

In a statement posted on X by the Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication to the President, Sunday Dare, the president instructed the Nigerian Air Force to expand air surveillance across the innermost parts of the forests in Kwara, where terrorists are believed to be hiding.

 “President Tinubu has ordered total security cordon over the forests in Kwara State following recent kidnappings and terrorist activities. President Tinubu directed the Air Force to expand its air surveillance across the innermost parts of the forests in Kwara State where it is believed the terrorists are hiding. They are to maintain a 24-hour surveillance and link up with the boots on the ground,” he said.

The order, he said, “equally applies to the Kebbi and Niger States axis where many are expected to be rescued. Communities are also urged to provide timely information about strange movements and activities to aid the work of the security forces.”

…Tinubu, Idris welcome Kebbi girls

Welcoming the Kebbi girls, Tinubu applauded the security agents for all the efforts made to secure freedom for all the victims taken away by the terrorists.

He tasked the security agents to make more efforts to rescue the remaining students still being held captive.

“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.

Announcing the rescue Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi, Governor Idris said: “We are very happy to announce the release of students abducted from the Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga.

“We’ve received credible report that our security agencies based on the order by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure the rescue of the girls, all of them have been rescued in good health.

“They are on their way to the state capital, Birnin Kebbi, also, their parents are on their way to the capital, and by tomorrow, Wednesday, we shall reunite them with their families.

“I thank President Tinubu for his concern for Kebbi State, since the abduction of the girls, Mr. President has been up and doing to ensure that the girls are rescued.

“We thank the security agencies, the Police, the DSS, the Military, the Civil Defence and others for being alive to their responsibilities.

“They did not take the order of Mr. President lightly, they have been following what’s happening professionally, we thank all of them. We are equally grateful to Religious Clerics for their prayers for the safe return of the girls.

“I want to take this opportunity to make it clear that no compensation was paid as condition for their release. Kebbi State Government did not give out one Kobo, while the security agencies confirmed to me that they did not give any money.

“Today is a day of happiness to all of us, we thank The Almighty GOD for answering our prayers to bring the girls home safely.” 

…Latest raid on Kwara community

And in the midst of the Kebbi euphoria, there was a renewed wave of attack on Isapa, another Kwara community in Ekiti local government area of the state, with not less than 11 persons abducted at 6.00pm Monday.

The state police command confirmed the abduction in a statement by its public relations officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi.

The command said it had activated a search-and-rescue operation with the deployment of a tactical team to comb the surrounding forest in collaboration with local vigilantes. 

Blueprint.ng gathered that about 30 armed bandits stormed the community with a large herd of cattle, firing shots indiscriminately. 

During the shooting spree, says an eyewitness, an elderly woman was allegedly hit by a stray bullet during the incident.

A community leader, who confirmed the development under strict condition of anonymity, revealed that 11 people were abducted, with seven victims belonging to the same family.

The kidnapped victims include a pregnant woman, two nursing mothers, and several young children.

Also reportedly abducted were two housewives namely; Habibat and Fatima Yusufu.

The abductors did not also spare a pregnant woman, Sarah Sunday (22), two nursing mothers identified as Lami Fidelis (23) and Haja Na Allah.

It was further gathered that the attackers moved through parts of the town, leaving bullet holes in walls and doors. 

Expended AK-47 shells were found scattered across the community after the gunmen fled.

Residents remained in fear as security agencies and local vigilantes intensify efforts to track the kidnappers and rescue the abducted victims.

…Police confirm development

Confirming the incident, the state Police command said: “The Kwara State Police Command confirms a shooting incident that occurred at Isapa via Obbo-Ile Village on 24th November 2025.

‘‘At about 1830hrs of the same date, the command received distress information on sporadic gunfire within the community. Swiftly responding, police operatives mobilized patrol vehicles and tactical teams to the scene.

‘‘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 gunshot wound to her leg; she has since been treated and discharged.

‘‘Further details from police operatives discovered that 10 persons were later abducted.

‘‘In response to the gravity of the situation, the commissioner of Police, Kwara State command, CP Adekimi Ojo, psc mnips, visited Isapa community for an on-the-spot assessment.

‘‘During the visit, the CP met with traditional rulers, the Onisapa of Isapa land, Oba Gbenga Adeyeye and Olokesa of Okesa Land, Oba Olu Fagbamila Raphael Olusegun, local and youth leaders; to assure 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.”

….Gov. AbdulRazaq reacts

And as a first measure, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq announced a cabinet-level security committee to midwife alternative short-to-long term solutions to curtail further security breaches.

The committee, headed by Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi, has Dr. Olufunke Mercy Shittu of the Office of the Head of Service, as its secretary.

The members are; Special Adviser on Security Matters, Brigadier-General Saliu Tunde Bello, Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development Abdullahi Bata, Senior Special Assistant on Security, Alhaji Muhyideen Aliu; Special Assistant on Security, Alhaji Moshood Gobir, and one local government chairman from each of the three Senatorial Districts.

A statement by the governor’s media aide, Rafiu Ajakaye, stated that the committee “will midwife exclusive engagements with different stakeholders, including traditional rulers, to design a Kwara-specific security strategy to strengthen public safety.

“The committee will submit its report to the governor within four weeks for further considerations and actions.

“Its recommendations are to further enrich existing understanding of the nationwide security situations from local perspectives,” Ajakaye said.