Tinubu Announces Rescue of Kwara Worshippers, 51 Niger Students

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday announced the successful rescue of 38 worshippers abducted in Eruku, Kwara State, and 51 students kidnapped from a Catholic school in Niger State, marking a major breakthrough in ongoing nationwide security efforts.

In a statement issued from Abuja, the President said the coordinated operations were carried out by security agencies over several days, resulting in the safe recovery of the victims. He reassured Nigerians that his administration is working “day and night” to secure lives and restore peace across the country.

Nigeria has spent the last two weeks grappling with reports of mass abductions in Kwara and Niger states. Armed men had stormed a religious gathering in Eruku, Kwara State, abducting dozens of worshippers. Just days later, another group invaded a Catholic school in Niger State, taking away several students and triggering a frantic nationwide response.

The escalating security situation prompted President Tinubu to order the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to immediately relocate to Kebbi State, where another school abduction had occurred.

That directive formed part of a broader push by the President to intensify ground-level coordination and pressure on criminal groups.

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In his address, President Tinubu praised the efforts of security personnel, saying the breakthroughs demonstrate the results of ongoing security restructuring and tactical coordination.

“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,” the President said. “I am equally happy that 51 out of the missing students of the Catholic School in Niger State have been recovered.”

While details of the operations were not disclosed, security sources have suggested that combined intelligence, aerial surveillance, and persistent ground pursuit contributed significantly to the rescue missions.

Tinubu reiterated that he has been receiving continuous updates from the frontline and remains personally involved in monitoring security trends nationwide. He emphasized that the protection of citizens remains his administration’s top priority.

“Let me be clear: I will not relent,” he stated. “Every Nigerian, in every state, has the right to safety and under my watch, we will secure this nation and protect our people.”

The President also reminded Nigerians that he cancelled his planned trip to the G20 Summit in South Africa in order to focus fully on domestic security coordination during the crisis.