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45m ago

Tinubu Halts Foreign Trips as Nigeria Confronts New School Abduction Reports and Church Attack

Security forces have expanded deployments following fresh reports of a school abduction in Niger State.

An interior view of the Christ Apostolic Church, the day after an attack by gunmen in which people were killed and the pastor and some worshippers kidnapped, in the town of Eruku, Kwara state, Nigeria, November 19, 2025. REUTERS/Abdullahi Dare Akogun
Relatives cry as they mourn during a funeral service for 17 worshippers and two priests, who were allegedly killed by Fulani herdsmen, at Ayati-Ikpayongo in Gwer East district of Benue State, north-central Nigeria on May 22, 2018. - Two Nigerian priests and 17 worshippers have been buried, nearly a month after an attack on their church, as Catholics took to the streets calling for an end to a spiral of violence. White coffins containing the bodies of the clergymen and the members of their congregation were laid to rest in central Benue state, which has been hit by a wave of deadly unrest. (Photo by EMMY IBU / AFP) (Photo credit should read EMMY IBU/AFP via Getty Images)
TON MOLINA
Nigeria's security situation has come under the international spotlight

Overview

  • Officials in Niger State reported an overnight raid at St. Mary’s School in Papiri with an unconfirmed number of students and staff abducted, and police and military units have been deployed while details are verified.
  • Search operations continue for 24 schoolgirls taken from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, where one girl escaped and the vice-principal was killed.
  • Gunmen attacked Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, killing at least two people and abducting worshippers, prompting the governor to request reinforcements and the closure of schools in five districts.
  • President Bola Tinubu postponed planned trips to the G20 and AU–EU summits, placed security agencies on their highest alert, and directed forces to pursue terrorists and criminal gangs, with Vice-President Kashim Shettima coordinating in Kebbi.
  • The United States re-designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and President Donald Trump threatened possible action, while Nigeria rejects a sectarian framing of the violence and has dispatched a delegation to engage U.S. officials.