By Amofokhai Williams
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate launch of a coordinated rescue operation following the mass abduction and killing of civilians in Niger State.
Tinubu announced the directive on Tuesday in a series of posts on his official X account, saying the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant security and intelligence agencies had been instructed to work together to rescue the victims.
The President said he was outraged by the abduction and killing of innocent citizens, describing those behind the attacks as “enemies of peace and enemies of humanity.”
“Those who carried out this cowardly attack on defenceless Nigerians are enemies of peace and enemies of humanity, who will not go scot-free,” Tinubu said.
He also expressed condolences to families who lost relatives in the attack and assured them that the Federal Government was committed to securing the release of those abducted.
“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,” he said.
The latest directive comes amid heightened security concerns in parts of Niger State, where armed groups have carried out attacks and abductions in rural communities.
The President’s order brings the military, police, intelligence services and other relevant agencies into a coordinated operation aimed at locating the abducted persons and bringing them to safety.
Tinubu did not disclose the number of people currently being targeted in the rescue operation, the specific locations where the victims were taken or operational details that could compromise ongoing security efforts.
The President’s statement also did not provide details on the number of casualties recorded in the latest attack.
The mass abduction has renewed attention on the security situation in Niger State, particularly in areas where large forested zones provide difficult terrain for security operations and potential hideouts for criminal groups.
Tinubu’s directive places responsibility on the country’s security and intelligence architecture to secure the victims while tracking those responsible for the attacks.
The President said the perpetrators would be held accountable, while offering support to families affected by the violence.
