Nationwide outrage as Kwara Church killings, Kebbi schoolgirls’ abduction trigger fresh security demands

Nationwide outrage as Kwara Church killings, Kebbi schoolgirls’ abduction trigger fresh security demands

Nigeria has been thrown into widespread outrage following the killing of two worshippers in a Kwara church and the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State—two incidents that have renewed calls for decisive action against banditry, insecurity, and school abductions across the country.

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, condemned the attack on a CAC church in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area, describing it as “unconscionable.” He requested the urgent deployment of additional security operatives to the affected axis and commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for authorising the deployment of 900 more troops to the state.
The governor said the increased security presence had already helped calm previously troubled communities, expressing confidence that the reinforcements would “provide further deterrence and permanent calm.”

As part of immediate preventive steps, the state government activated new security measures across schools in Ifelodun, Ekiti, Irepodun, Isin and Oke Ero LGAs amid concerns that fleeing criminals may target students. Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, said the measures—affecting both day and boarding schools—would remain until security agencies give full clearance.

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki described the Kwara attack as “shocking and deeply distressing,” calling for a long-term security framework that reflects the state’s strategic location.
He urged the Federal Government to secure abducted victims and adopt a sustainable policing model that protects Kwara as a gateway between the North and South.

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Senator Sunday Karimi (Kogi West) hailed President Tinubu for postponing foreign trips to address the Kwara attack, urging governors AbdulRazaq and Usman Ododo of Kogi to jointly secure border communities.
He renewed calls for full local government autonomy, insisting that empowered councils could deploy funds to strengthen local vigilantes and combat rural banditry.

Former presidential candidate Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim warned of an imminent breakdown of security if the Federal Government fails to respond rapidly to escalating attacks in Kwara, Kebbi, Niger, Zamfara, Kaduna, Plateau and Bauchi.
He described the killing of two police officers in Patigi and the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi as signs of a worsening security crisis, insisting on a radical overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) condemned the Kebbi abduction, lamenting that Nigeria is “running out of time” in confronting school kidnappings. President Joe Ajaero said the attack reflects the nation’s failure to prevent a recurrence of tragedies similar to Chibok, Dapchi, Kankara and Kagara.

In Kebbi, Senator Garba Maidoki expressed optimism that the 25 abducted Kebbi schoolgirls would return home soon, saying security agents have identified their location within Kebbi South Senatorial District.
He assured families that the incident would not mirror the prolonged Chibok ordeal, revealing that bandits occupying several villages had been dislodged.

The Sultan of Sokoto–led Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) condemned the abduction as “heartless and utterly avoidable,” noting that it occurred barely days after a security summit in Birnin-Kebbi.
JNI warned that repeated attacks on girls’ schools threaten the future of girl-child education in Northern Nigeria, urging governments to intensify security around learning centres and Muslim communities to engage in special prayers for the nation.

The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) also expressed deep concern over the abduction, describing the incident as another painful chapter in Nigeria’s battle with school insecurity.

 

Nationwide outrage as Kwara Church killings, Kebbi schoolgirls’ abduction trigger fresh security demands