The 38 worshippers who were abducted last week in Eruku, Kwara State, were freed and 51 of the St Mary’s Private Primary and Secondary School students kidnapped in Papiri town, Niger State, were also rescued by the combined forces of the nation’s security.
The 38 worshippers and 51 students were kidnapped recently during attacks by suspected bandits.
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Personally announcing the development, President Bola Tinubu, writing on his official X handle @OfficialABAT, assured the Nigerian people that he would not relent in securing the nation and declared that: “We will secure this nation and protect our people.”
Tinubu said every Nigerian, in any part of the country, had the right to safety.
Posting on X, the president said he was closely monitoring the security situation and receiving updates from across the country.
“Let me be clear: I will not relent. Every Nigerian, in every state, has the right to safety — and under my watch, we will secure this nation and protect our people,” he stated.
Tinubu, while saluting the efforts of the security forces in the rescue operations, wrote, “My fellow Nigerians, you will recall that I cancelled my trip to the G20 summit in South Africa to enable me coordinate the security efforts at home.
“Thanks to the efforts of our security forces over the last few days, all the 38 worshippers abducted in Eruku, Kwara State, have been rescued.
“I am equally happy that 51 out of the missing students of the Catholic School in Niger State, have been recovered. I am closely monitoring the security situation nationwide and receiving continuous updates from the frontline.”
The president later met with top brass of both the military and other security agencies at State House, Abuja.
He declared, also on X, that decisive steps were being taken to stabilise areas affected by the recent surge in security breaches.
The president assured Nigerians that those threatening the territorial integrity of the country will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
He stated that he was meeting with the heads of the military, police, and intelligence services at State House, Abuja, on the security situation.
Tinubu stated, “We are reviewing the latest reports and taking decisive actions to stabilise the affected areas and protect our citizens. I am receiving continuous briefings and have directed our security services to move with speed, precision, and absolute resolve.
“As president, I am fully committed to the security of all Nigerians. Those who threaten the peace and security of our nation will face the full weight of the law. Nigeria will prevail.”