Nigeria’s Federal Government appears to be escalating its security response as the country battles a fresh wave of coordinated school abductions across the North-West and North-Central regions. Multiple sources indicate that plans are underway to establish a high-level Joint Task Force comprising personnel from the military, police, Department of State Services (DSS), and other strategic agencies to fast-track the rescue of kidnapped schoolchildren.

The development follows a late-night briefing at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where the Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Adeola Ajayi, met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to provide updates on the country’s deteriorating security situation. The meeting, held on Friday, was confirmed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who posted photos of Ajayi and Tinubu during the session on his official X (Twitter) account.

Although no formal statement was issued about the contents of the discussion, an official familiar with the briefing told Sunday PUNCH that the conversation largely revolved around planned operations to track down armed groups, rescue abducted students, and dismantle networks responsible for the recent attacks on communities and learning institutions.

When questioned about the possibility of a new security task force, Onanuga offered a short but telling response: “It is possible.” He declined to elaborate further.

The renewed urgency comes in the wake of several devastating incidents. On Monday, at least 26 female students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, were kidnapped during an early-morning raid. In a separate attack in Kwara State, worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, were ambushed, leaving two dead and 38 abducted.

The most shocking incident occurred on Friday when over 303 children and 12 teachers were seized from St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State. Reports indicate that heavily armed bandits stormed the premises and marched the children into nearby forests before security reinforcements could arrive.

In response to the Kebbi abduction, President Tinubu ordered the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to immediately relocate to the state and personally coordinate rescue efforts until every missing schoolgirl is accounted for.

As fears of escalating attacks mount, the Federal Government has approved the closure of 41 unity schools nationwide until further notice. The shutdown affects institutions across Sokoto, Zamfara, Jigawa, Niger, Kaduna, Kebbi, and several other high-risk states. The schools ordered to close include:

FGGC Minjibir, FTC Ganduje, FGGC Zaria, FTC Kafanchan, FTC Dayi, FGC Daura, FGGC Tambuwal, FSC Sokoto, FTC Wurno, FGC Gusau, FGC Anka, FGGC Gwandu, FGC Birnin Yauri, FTC Zuru, FGGC Kazaure, FGC Kiyawa, FTC Hadejia, FGGC Bida, FGC New-bussa, FTC Kuta-Shiroro, FGA Suleja, FGC Ilorin, FGGC Omuaran, FTC Gwanara, FGGC Bakori, FGC Ugwolawo, FGGC Kabba, FTC Ogugu, FGGC Bwari, FGC Rubochi, FGGC Abaji, FGGC Potiskum, FGC Buni Yadi, FTC Gashua, FTC Michika, FGC Ganye, FGC Azare, FTC Misau, FGGC Bajoga, FGC Billiri, FTC Zambuk.

Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, has also ordered an immediate closure of all schools within his state as part of preventive measures. Plateau, Taraba, and Katsina have taken similar steps.

With more than 315 children and teachers still missing across multiple states, pressure continues to mount on security agencies to deliver swift and effective results. The proposed Joint Task Force may signal a more aggressive, unified, and intelligence-driven strategy—but families of the abducted students are anxiously waiting for outcomes, not promises.

FAQ Section

1. Why did the Federal Government hold an emergency briefing?
To evaluate the worsening security situation following multiple school abductions and discuss rescue operations.

2. Is a Joint Task Force officially confirmed?
No official statement has been issued, but senior officials say such a structure is “possible” and under consideration.

3. How many students have been abducted recently?
Over 315 students and teachers combined across Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger States this week alone.

4. Which schools were ordered to close?
The government shut 41 unity schools, including institutions in Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger, Kebbi, Kaduna, and other high-risk zones.

5. What is the government doing to rescue the abducted students?
Defence officials have been deployed to affected states, while intelligence agencies are coordinating operations to track kidnappers.