President orders immediate coordinated operation, declares attackers “enemies of humanity”
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a full-scale military and intelligence deployment to rescue victims of a mass abduction in Niger State, declaring that the perpetrators will face the full wrath of the law.
In a strongly-worded statement issued on Tuesday via his X handle, the President directed the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, and all relevant security agencies to launch an “immediate coordinated rescue operation” following what he described as a “cowardly attack on defenceless Nigerians.”
The order follows mass abduction of people in Niger State last week.
Pinnacle Daily reports that terrorists raided multiple remote villages in the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State last week.
The attackers stormed the Kpenya Mosque in Gidan-Zana (Dekara District) around 2 PM during Friday prayers, forcefully taking worshippers, including women, children, and the elderly into the surrounding forest.
Among those abducted were the village Head of Ka’ada and the 90-year-old father of the District Head of Dekar.
The operation ordered by the president marks one of the most significant security mobilizations since Tinubu assumed office, with the President personally demanding regular briefings from Service Chiefs until every abducted citizen is accounted for.
‘Enemies of Peace’
“I am outraged by the abduction and killing of innocent citizens by criminal elements in the state,” Tinubu said. “Those who carried out this cowardly attack on defenceless Nigerians are enemies of peace and enemies of humanity, who will not go scot-free.”
The President extended his deepest condolences to grieving families, offering prayers that Almighty God “grant them eternal rest, and grant their loved ones the fortitude to bear this painful loss.”
Federal Support Mobilized
Addressing the affected communities directly, Tinubu assured: “You are not alone. The entire nation shares your anguish. We will not rest until your sons, daughters, mothers and fathers are brought back safely to you.”
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The Federal Government has pledged full support to Niger State authorities, with resources being channeled for recovery, relief, and security reinforcement.
“Terror will not cow Nigeria,” the President declared. “We will defend our people, protect our communities, and uphold the sanctity of human life.”
The abduction, which occurred in recent days, has sent shockwaves through the North-Central region and renewed focus on security challenges facing the nation.
As rescue operations intensify, authorities have not disclosed the exact number of those taken, citing operational security concerns. However, sources indicate the incident involves multiple communities and a significant number of victims, primarily women and children.
Security analysts note that the coordinated multi-agency response represents a shift toward more integrated counter-terrorism operations, though questions remain about long-term strategies to address the root causes of insecurity in the region.
