President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Sunday commended Nigerian security agencies for the successful rescue of 38 worshippers kidnapped from the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State on November 18, and expressed relief over the escape and recovery of 51 of the 303 students abducted from St. Mary Catholic Schools, Piri, in Niger State.
In a personally signed statement, the President noted that he cancelled his planned trip to the G20 Summit in South Africa to coordinate security operations at home. He praised security forces for their rapid response, stressing his commitment to ensuring the safety of every Nigerian.
“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,” Tinubu said. “I am equally happy that 51 out of the missing students of the Catholic school in Niger State have been recovered… 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.”
In a related development, the President has directed the withdrawal of police officers currently assigned to protect Very Important Persons (VIPs), ordering that they be redeployed to core policing duties across the country. The directive was announced in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, following a high-level security meeting held on Sunday with the service chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to the statement, VIPs requiring armed protection will now obtain personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), allowing the police to strengthen their presence in underserved and remote communities.
“Many parts of Nigeria, especially remote areas, have few policemen at the stations, thus making the task of protecting and defending the people difficult,” Onanuga noted. He added that the directive aligns with the President’s broader effort to reinforce internal security.
To support this shift, Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 30,000 additional police officers, while the federal government works with states to upgrade police training facilities nationwide.
Sunday’s security meeting was attended by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; and the DG of the DSS, Tosin Adeola Ajayi.
The President reaffirmed that his administration will continue to prioritize the protection of lives and property as security challenges evolve across the country.
