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.

Troops of the 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army — operating under Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) and Operation Zafin Wuta — have arrested a suspected kidnapper in Wukari LGA of Taraba state.

The suspect, Umar Musa Geyi, was picked up on Saturday in the Jandei–Kulamu axis while allegedly negotiating a N20 million ransom with relatives of an abducted victim.

According to Umar Mohammed, army spokesperson, Geyi has long been on the radar of security agencies and is believed to be part of a kidnapping ring active across the Wukari area.

Preliminary findings, Mohammed said, link Geyi to the abduction of Alhaji Jano, a Fulani resident of Jandei–Kulala, who was kidnapped on November 13, 2025 and is still being held.

He added that troops intercepted a phone conversation in which Geyi allegedly confirmed the victim’s continued captivity and reiterated the ransom demand.

The suspect is currently in custody and undergoing interrogation as efforts intensify to locate the victim.

Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, commander of the 6 Brigade, commended the troops’ coordinated response and reaffirmed the army’s commitment to breaking kidnapping networks operating in Taraba.