Senator Orji Kalu, a former governor of Abia State, has attributed the recent spate of killings and abductions in Nigeria to political motivations. He said the violent attacks targeting various parts of the country were orchestrated by politicians aiming to destabilise the administration of President Bola Tinubu. Kalu claimed that the sponsors of these attacks intend to make Tinubu fail in the same manner as former President Goodluck Jonathan. He did not, however, disclose the identities of the alleged sponsors.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Kalu described the incidents as a recurring pattern associated with election periods. He said, “What we are seeing is always a routine, something that goes with the elections, and when you have an election, people will try to pressure the government in power for all kinds of things to start happening. And you can remember when President Jonathan was here, a similar thing happened. They put a lot of pressure on the President. And the terrorists and the bandits are orchestrated by some members of the international community and local people who really want to destabilise the government.”

Kalu further emphasized that the recent wave of attacks is part of political manoeuvring during elections, saying, “And the terrorists and the bandits are orchestrated by some members of the international community and local people who really want to destabilise the government.” Despite the challenges, the senator affirmed that President Tinubu has demonstrated capability in managing the security situation.

“But I’m sure you can see that President Tinubu is equal to the task; for the first time, you see the president cancelling all his engagements. Today is Sunday, and he faced security challenges. He faced everything about security,” Kalu stated. He added that the abducted girls would be recovered, noting that “the government is making every effort to make sure these people are recovered, and it’s because of a few announcements internationally and locally, talking about Nigeria’s insecurity. I’m sure it’s not the best of times for us. It’s not a very good time for Nigerian people and Nigerian citizens. Our service chiefs, our security operatives have gone fully on duty to see what they can do.”

The former governor also linked the increase in attacks to recent remarks by US President Donald Trump concerning killings in Nigeria. Kalu asserted that the intelligence community is aware of those responsible. He said, “For the past few months, we have been quiet on President [Donald] Trump talks about people being killed in Nigeria, and you can see people talk about the 2027 election this and that, and you can see these are all about politics, but we’re equal to the task. The Federal Government will move to challenge these people. These people are partially missionaries bought by politicians. These people are people bought by individuals. These people are people centred to destabilise the President who is ready to fight for our economy, that is ready to revamp the economy that’s been trying his best to see what he can do.”

On whether President Tinubu was aware of the situation, Kalu said, “The President is the president of Nigeria, and the president of Nigeria has a lot of information around him.” He added that Tinubu has been losing sleep over the security challenges facing the nation but praised the President’s decision to withdraw police officers attached to VIPs, describing it as a prudent measure.

Kalu also said that international collaboration, particularly with the United States, would be beneficial for addressing insecurity in Nigeria. “We need to work together with the United States of America. We need that partnership,” he stated.

The senator’s comments come amid a series of violent incidents across Nigeria. Gunmen kidnapped 25 schoolgirls from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, resulting in the death of the vice principal. Over 300 schoolchildren were also abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State, although 50 of them managed to escape. Additionally, gunmen attacked the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke-Isegun in Eruku, Kwara State, killing three people and abducting 38 worshippers, all of whom have since been released, according to the Kwara State Government.

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to addressing insecurity nationwide, stating that he will continue working until all citizens are adequately protected.

In a statement released on Sunday via his official X handle, the President said that Nigerians in every part of the country deserve safety and assured that security would be strengthened under his leadership. He said, “Let me be clear: I will not relent. Every Nigerian, in every state, has the right to safety — and under my watch, we will secure this nation and protect our people.”

Tinubu recalled that he had cancelled his planned trip to the Group of 20 summit scheduled for Saturday, November 22, and Sunday, November 23, at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in South Africa.

Instead of travelling, he delegated Vice President Kashim Shettima to represent Nigeria at the summit, noting that the decision was taken to allow him intensify efforts toward the rescue of 25 schoolgirls abducted last Monday in Kebbi State as well as church worshippers kidnapped in Kwara State.

Providing an update on ongoing rescue operations, Tinubu announced that 38 worshippers abducted by bandits from the Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, had regained their freedom.

He also said that 51 of the more than 300 children abducted from a Catholic school in Niger State had been rescued, acknowledging the security agencies for their swift action. He noted that he had been “closely monitoring the security situation nationwide and receiving continuous updates from the frontline.”

Tinubu added, “You will recall that I cancelled my trip to the G20 summit in South Africa to enable me coordinate the security efforts at home. Thanks to the efforts of our security forces over the last few days, all the 38 worshippers abducted in Eruku, Kwara State have been rescued. I am equally happy that 51 out of the missing students of the Catholic School in Niger State, have been recovered.”

Earlier, the President had directed security agencies to intensify search-and-rescue operations and reinforce preventive deployments across areas affected by recent attacks.

On Thursday, he ordered the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State to oversee security operations aimed at securing the release of the kidnapped schoolgirls.

The Federal Government has fixed December 12 to December 17 as the period during which Section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will be opened for public use. The update was provided in Lagos during a review session on the outstanding components of the 700-kilometre project.

Works Minister Dave Umahi said the inspection focused on the status of Section 1, which covers 47.47 kilometres and consists of six lanes arranged into two carriageways.

Umahi added that the ministry has also marked April next year as the target date to complete and commission both Section 1 and half of Section 2, noting that work is advancing as scheduled.

He explained that the contractor, Hitech Construction Company Ltd., has already completed more than 80 per cent of the reinforced concrete pavement for Section 1.

According to him, “We are very grateful to God Almighty for his mercies, and to the President and to the contractor.” He highlighted unexpected engineering challenges, saying that “there are places we didn’t envisage that we were going to be removing pits up to a depth of 20 metres.”

Umahi noted that these adjustments became necessary because the contractor is “partners in progress for the development of the country.” He added that only about three kilometres remain to complete the sand filling from Ahmadu Bello Way to Eleko Junction, expressing satisfaction with the progress and quality of work delivered so far.

The Controller of Works in Lagos, Olufemi Dare, commended the contractor for maintaining high construction standards. He told the minister: “It may interest you to know that the building standing is the palace of this community, and you saved this building, and they are extremely happy.”

The Managing Director of Hitech Construction Company Ltd., Dany Abboud, said the firm will continue with the backfilling work from Chainage 34 to Chainage 37 to meet the delivery targets.

He added that “Dredging is ongoing, we are on track to deliver,” noting that the company is monitoring ground settlement in swampy and water-body areas following the alignment adjustments.