Outrage Grows Over Kebbi And Kwara Attacks

The wave of anger sweeping through the country grew louder on Wednesday as the Federal Government linked the renewed kidnappings and deadly raids in Kebbi and Kwara to recent remarks by the United States.

The statement came after schoolgirls were taken in Kebbi and worshippers were attacked in a church in Kwara, raising fear across communities already battling rising insecurity.

Officials in Abuja said the latest violence emerged shortly after US President Donald Trump accused Nigeria of targeting Christians and warned that American forces might intervene. According to the government, these remarks encouraged violent groups looking for global attention and a chance to justify fresh attacks on schools and places of worship.

The Presidency argued that the country had made progress in containing insurgents until international claims created new openings for bandits seeking relevance. It restated that Nigeria does not need foreign troops, insisting that local forces have reclaimed territories and thinned out terror networks. Authorities called instead for support in intelligence, technology, and equipment to strengthen ongoing operations.

The claims of “Christian genocide,” often repeated by foreign groups, were dismissed by the government as inaccurate. Officials said verified attacks show that criminals target both churches and mosques, with victims across faiths. They added that the rise in school kidnappings threatens years of work to expand girl-child education in the North and warned that schools must not be left exposed.

The Kebbi attack still haunts the state after bandits stormed a girls’ secondary school in the early hours of Monday, killing the vice principal and taking 26 students. Two later escaped, but 24 remain in captivity. In Kwara, gunmen invaded a church in Eruku during an evening service, killing at least two people and abducting dozens. The assault, captured on video, sent shockwaves across the country.

President Bola Tinubu put off planned foreign trips as public frustration mounted. He ordered a major security push in both affected states and demanded the safe return of the kidnapped students and worshippers. Vice President Kashim Shettima led a visit to Kebbi while police and DSS teams updated the President on the Kwara incident.

The Kwara governor visited Eruku, where angry youths blocked a major highway over the lack of response during the attack. Local leaders accused police officers of failing to act and even clashing with residents who chased the attackers. Community members called for a military base and a mobile police squadron to protect the area, insisting they can no longer rely on security formations they no longer trust.

National groups, including the Nigeria Labour Congress and Jama’atu Nasril Islam, condemned the attacks and demanded stronger protection for schools and rural communities. They warned that repeated abductions mirror painful memories of Chibok, Dapchi, and other mass kidnappings that shook the country in the past.

Political figures and activists also joined in the criticism. Former Kano governor Rabiu Kwankwaso said the country is witnessing a failure of intelligence, pointing to the killing of a senior military officer in Borno and rising attacks across states. Former Rivers governor Rotimi Amaechi accused the government of lacking the will to stop the bloodshed, while popular artistes and lawyers said the situation has deteriorated to a point where the President should resign if he cannot keep people safe.

Celebrities shared posts expressing fear, frustration, and grief as videos from the Kwara church attack spread online. Many said the killings show how vulnerable communities have become and questioned why security agencies often appear absent during attacks. They urged the government to rescue the kidnapped girls, protect schools, and rebuild public trust that has steadily eroded.

As families wait for news of the remaining captives, the country faces another painful reminder of how quickly violence can return—and how urgent the demand for real security has become.