Sowore Slams Tinubu Police IG Over Silence as 25 Schoolgirls Are Abducted and Brigadier General kill.

Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has sharply criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of Nigeria’s security agencies following the abduction of twenty-five schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the execution of a Brigadier General by Boko Haram/ISWAP. In a strongly worded message shared on his verified Facebook page, Sowore condemned what he described as the government’s disturbing silence in the face of national tragedy.

Sowore noted that despite the kidnapping of the schoolgirls, President Tinubu’s public statement of the day focused instead on offering a casual greeting to a “seasoned banker.” He also accused the Inspector General of Police of failing to make any comment, calling the IGP incompetent, illegally appointed, and long overdue for dismissal, especially after what he described as a disastrous handling of the Yelwata massacre in Benue.

The activist further expressed outrage that even after a senior military officer was executed, the President has still not addressed the nation. He argued that the absence of reassurance, outrage, or leadership reflects a government disconnected from its citizens.

According to Sowore, a country where schoolgirls are abducted and officers are murdered while leaders remain silent is a failed state.

Bandits have raided the Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS) in Maga, located in the Danko Wasagu area of Kebbi State, killing the Vice-Principal, Hassan Yakubu Makuku, and kidnapping an unspecified number of students.

Maga, a community in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, has suffered repeated attacks in recent times.A resident, Aliyu Yakubu, said the attackers stormed the school around 5 am on Monday without encountering resistance.

“The incident has thrown the entire community into panic. Residents of Maga are gripped with fear and sorrow,” he said.He added that the school principal, Makuku, was shot while attempting to shield the students during the invasion.

“He was h+t while trying to stop the bandits from taking the students. His death is a huge tragedy for both the school and the community,” he stated.

As of the time of filing this report, the police had yet to comment on the attack, as the command’s spokesperson, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, did not respond to repeated calls.

Benue Insecurity: Zaki Biam Residents Pay Kidnappers N100,000 for Protection.

Residents of Zaki Biam in Ukum LGA, Benue State, are gripped by fear as criminal activities escalate, including kidnapping threats, motorcycle theft, and suspected cult operations.

A community source told Vanguard correspondent over the weekend that residents have been receiving calls from unknown individuals demanding money and threatening abduction. 

“People are scared because these callers sound serious and very coordinated. We need urgent help before things get out of hand,” he said.

He added that insecurity has worsened due to the activities of an alleged cult group that reportedly meets at the shop of its suspected leader, located at the former SSS office along Yam Market bypass. 

“These boys meet both during the day and very late at night. Their activities are suspicious, and everyone in the area is worried about what they are planning.”

Motorcycle theft has also surged. Thieves reportedly target riders at night, creating heightened tension in a community where motorcycles are essential for transport and livelihood. “Because all the motorcycle thefts have happened at night, people no longer move around freely once it gets dark,” he said.

The fear is intensified by kidnapping threats. “One case involved a POS operator who allegedly paid ₦100,000 after being threatened by criminals who warned they would kidnap him if he refused. Imagine receiving a call telling you to send money or you will be taken away. That is the kind of fear people here are living with every day,” he added.

Residents are calling for urgent intervention from security agencies. “We are appealing to the government and security operatives to come to our rescue. Lives and property are no longer safe, and something must be done urgently,” he lamented.

Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful at press time.

Troops rescue 74 NYSC members from kidnappers hotspot in Borno.

In a dramatic late-night operation, troops of the Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai, rescued 74 stranded National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members from what could have been a major abduction by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists along the Buratai–Kamuya Road in Borno State.

According to the Force’s Media Information Officer, Sani Uba, the incident occurred around 9:05 p.m. on Tuesday after the corps members 36 males and 38 females were left stranded when their 3 buses broke down near a notorious kidnapping hotspot.

Uba revealed that troops swiftly moved in after a military surveillance system picked up suspicious movement involving the vehicles.

“On arrival, troops discovered the stranded NYSC members and quickly moved to secure them from a likely Boko Haram or ISWAP attack,” he stated.

The rescued corps members are currently being sheltered at the Buratai military base while arrangements for their safe evacuation are underway.

This latest intervention follows a string of successful counterterrorism operations in Borno, where troops recently rescued 86 kidnapped victims and arrested 29 suspected terrorist logistics suppliers.

Earlier this week, the 135 Special Forces Battalion under Sector 2 OPHK intercepted Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters at Dutse Kura, destroying 11 terrorist structures and recovering a cache of weapons, vehicles, and motorcycles.

Security officials have hailed the swift response as a major success in ongoing efforts to protect civilians and dismantle terrorist strongholds in the North East.

UK warns against travel to six Nigerian states over rising insecurity.

The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office has issued a fresh warning against travel to parts of Nigeria, citing escalating insecurity, violent crime, terrorism, and kidnappings across multiple regions.

In its latest Foreign Travel Advice published on GOV.UK and sighted by our correspondent on Sunday, the FCDO stated, “Insecurity is increasing across Nigeria. Kidnapping, violent crime, and intercommunal violence occur throughout all regions of Nigeria.”

The advisory urged British nationals to exercise extreme caution, review safety procedures, and ensure they have contingency plans in place.

The FCDO advised against all travel to Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina, and Zamfara states, citing a “high and increasing threat from Boko Haram or Islamic State West Africa, particularly around transport hubs, religious areas and large gatherings.”

The statement warned that “humanitarian personnel, vehicles, supplies, and infrastructure can be targeted by terrorists and criminals.”

In addition, the UK government advised against all but essential travel to Bauchi, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Niger, Kogi, Plateau, and Taraba states, as well as the outer suburbs of Abuja within the Federal Capital Territory.

The FCDO said, “Violent crime, often involving firearms, has increased and spread from the outer suburbs to more central, wealthier areas of the city.”

It added that “British Government staff in Nigeria have been advised to restrict travel to an area broadly within the Abuja metropolitan area.”

Prison Break: Nigerian Kidnap Convict Escapes UK Prison, Sparks Major Police Manhunt.

A Nigerian man, Ola Abimbola, convicted of kidnapping and serving a 21-year sentence, has escaped from an open prison in Sussex, United Kingdom, sparking a widespread police search.

The 36-year-old, jailed for conspiracy to kidnap, grievous bodily harm, blackmail, and false imprisonment, reportedly walked out of HMP Ford around 8 a.m. on October 10 — barely a month after being transferred there. He has been missing ever since.

Abimbola’s transfer to the open prison, also known as a Category D facility, was made under new Labour government rules aimed at easing overcrowding in higher-security prisons. The relaxed policy allows inmates to move to open conditions earlier in their sentences, even if they are not yet close to release.

Under the old system, Abimbola would not have qualified for transfer for another six years. Open prisons have minimal security and are meant to help low-risk prisoners reintegrate into society a move that has now come under scrutiny following his disappearance.

Sussex Police have launched a manhunt, urging the public not to approach the fugitive and to report any information by calling 999. Authorities admit that efforts to track him down have so far been unsuccessful.

The escape has intensified political pressure on Justice Secretary David Lammy, already facing criticism after the mistaken release of two foreign sex offenders and a British fraudster. Opposition figures say the justice system is “in chaos,” blaming government policy changes for endangering the public.

Mark Drury of the Prison Governors’ Association said the rise in absconders from open prisons shows a troubling trend, noting that many prisoners now housed in such facilities “would not have been considered suitable two or three years ago.”

In response, the Ministry of Justice defended the system, insisting that all transfers follow “strict risk assessments” and that any offender breaching the rules can be “immediately returned to closed conditions.”

Alleged Genocide: Christian Council says Trump’s intervention is an answered prayer, not an invasion.

The Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) has urged Nigerians to view the recent US designation of the country as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) not as an invasion, but as a call to tackle the nation’s decades-long insecurity challenges.

In a statement signed by Most Rev. Dr. David Onuoha, President, and Rt. Rev. Dr. Evans Onyemara, General Secretary, CCN said: “This is not the time to debate the existence of Christian persecution in Nigeria. Political, ethnic, and religious divisions must be set aside so that all Nigerians can work together to confront this crisis decisively. Instead of spinning conspiracy theories around the US warning, leaders should focus on collaborating with international partners to confront these enemies of humanity, whether local or foreign.”

CCN emphasized that the continued lack of political will to stop the widespkkread violence including killings, kidnappings, banditry, and religious intolerance is a grave reflection of Nigeria’s deteriorating mooral and governance standards. “Every life lost diminishes our humanity and offends the image of God. While insecurity is not new, protecting citizens remains the sacred duty of any government,” the council said.

The faith-based organization called on all Nigerians of goodwill to pray fervently for the nation, stressing that peace is not merely the absence of war but the presence of justice. CCN reaffirmed its commitment to working with government, civil society, and international partners to build a just, peaceful, and united Nigeria where every individual’s dignity is protected.

“History will be kind to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu if he seizes this opportunity to end the long-standing killings in the country. Every right-thinking Nigerian should pray for him to have the wisdom and courage to act decisively,” the statement concluded.

Nigerian Army repel assault by Boko Haram and ISWAP, take out six terrorists.

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have repelled a coordinated attack by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on their base in Mallam Fatori, Borno State.

According to Lt-Col Sani Uba, Media Information Officer for OPHK, the terrorists launched the assault around 4:30 a.m., targeting the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Kangar with drones and mortar fire. Reinforced by the Main Force from Sector 3, the soldiers fought back with support from Nigerien fighter jets, forcing the insurgents to flee into the Tumbun waterways with their dead and wounded.

Troops recovered six bodies of terrrorists, five AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, over 250 rounds of ammunition, rocket-propelled grenades, drone bombs, hand grenades, and an Android phone. Additional airstrikes by Nigerian and Nigerien air forces reportedly neutralized more fleeing fighters.

Some soldiers and Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) members sustained minor injuries but were evacuated for treatment and are in stable condition. The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) praised the troops’ bravery and reaffirmed the military’s commitment to restoring peace and stability in the North-East.

Meanwhile, the trial of two top Ansaru leaders, Mahmud Usman (aka Abu Bara’a) and Abubakar Abba (aka Isah Adam), will continue on November 19, 2025, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The duo arrested in July during a DSS-led counter-terrorism operation are accused of coordinating terrorist cells across Nigeria and funding jihadist activities through kidnapping and illegal mining. Usman, who pleaded guilty to one count of illegal mining, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison, while Abba pleaded not guilty to all 32 terrorism-related charges.

FG Condemns Abduction of Consultant Neurosurgeon In Anambra.

The federal Ministry of Health has expressed deep concern over the kidnapping of one of its brilliant minds, Dr Tochukwu Mbanugo, a Consultant Neurosurgeon with the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, who was abducted by unknown armed men on Thursday.

According to a Sunday statement signed Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, he stated that reports from the hospital indicated that Dr Mbanugo was attacked around the Omatha Junction, Uruagu, Nnewi, while on his way home after an intensive day in the operating theatre.

“Earlier that same day, he had performed multiple critical neurosurgical procedures, including the resection of a complex brain tumour, saving lives and delivering highly specialised care to Nigerians in need.

BREAKING NEWS:
FCT Police Scorpion Squad Arrest 14 Suspected Kidnappers, Rescue 23 Foreign Nationals

In a major breakthrough against kidnapping and human trafficking, the FCT Police Command’s Scorpion Squad has arrested fourteen suspected kidnappers and rescued twenty-three victims — all foreign nationals — from captivity.

According to the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the intelligence-led operation took place around 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22, 2025, at Angwan Adamu Ruga Fulani Zone B, Riverside, Ado Mararaba, Nasarawa State.

Adeh described the operation as a significant success in the ongoing effort to dismantle criminal networks operating within and around the Federal Capital Territory.

#BreakingNews #FCTPolice #SecurityUpdate #NigeriaNews #Kidnapping

US bishops condemn killing of Christians, Muslims in Nigeria.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on Tuesday condemned the kidnapping and brutal killing of thousands of Christians and Muslims in Nigeria.

In a statement on the 27th anniversary of the International Religious Freedom Act, the bishops also criticized the Nigerian government for imprisoning “members of both religious groups for blasphemy.”

Bishop Elias Zaidan, chairman of USCCB’s Committee on International Justice and Peace, and Bishop Kevin Rhoades, chairman of USCCB’s Committee for Religious Liberty, called for solidarity with people suffering worldwide.

Condemning instances where some governments tolerate severe violations of religious freedom, the clerics urged individuals, communities, and organizations to do their part in promoting religious liberty for all.

The American bishops added that the acts of repressing or persecuting religions are “ultimately detrimental to the peaceful development of all nations.”

Also commemorating the enactment of the IRF Act, the United States government restated its commitment to championing the unalienable right of religious freedom.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio decried how hundreds of millions of people of faith worldwide face threats of violence, imprisonment, and death for simply living out their faith.

Rubio noted that religious persecution destabilizes countries, undermines hope for peace, and attacks the core truth that faith is essential to human flourishing and a free society.

ADC Candidate John Nwosu Blasts Governor Soludo Over Insecurity Ahead of Anambra Polls

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate for the November 8 Anambra State election, John Nwosu, has criticized incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo, accusing him of failing the people during his tenure.

Speaking on ‘Prime Time’ on Arise Television, Nwosu highlighted that four years in office is crucial for a state’s progress and said Soludo’s administration has fallen short.

“The indices are there for everyone to see, starting with insecurity. In the last three and a half years, Anambra has lost people to kidnappings,” he stated.



He cited Ihiala Local Government, home to the owner of Air Peace, as a stark example:

“That area has been ravaged by insecurity for over three years. Residents have been forced to hold weddings and burials outside their hometown because they cannot return safely,” Nwosu added.


The statement underscores growing concerns about security and governance as Anambra prepares for its upcoming gubernatorial election.

"If they can show their colleagues being executed on national TV, others will stop" — Actor Williams Uchemba condemns rate of kidnapping.

The Federal Government has dismissed eight officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service, compulsorily retired five officers and reduced the ranks of eight others for various acts of misconducts. The government also dismissed two junior personnel from the Service for criminal acts bothering on kidnapping, stealing and illegal possession of fire arms.

“We Won’t Pay Ransom or Negotiate with Bandits” — Niger Governor Bago Declares, Orders Statewide Mining Ban.

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has vowed that his administration will neither negotiate with bandits nor pay ransom for kidnapped victims, insisting that such actions only empower criminals and fuel insecurity across the state.

Bago made the declaration during a condolence visit to residents of Rijau and Magama Local Government Areas, where several communities were recently attacked by bandits in the Kontagora axis.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Print Media, Aisha Wakaso, the governor said Niger State had reached a critical point that demands collective resistance from its people. He warned that ransom payments would only commercialise kidn+pping and make the cr+me more lucrative.

“I will not negotiate with bandits. I will not pay ransom. The moment we start paying, they will open shop on our heads and keep kidnapping people,” Bago said. “This is a war situation, and we must all rise to defend ourselves. The constitution empowers us to protect lives and property, and we will not back down.”

In addition, Governor Bago declared a total ban on mining activities across Niger State’s Zone C, which includes Magama, Kontagora, Rijau, Wushishi, Mariga, Borgu, Mashegu, and Agwara LGAs. He linked illegal mining to the rising wave of insecurity, alleging that many miners operate freely in forest zones that are unsafe for residents.

“It is suspicious that miners can enter the forests freely, yet the bandits don’t touch them,” he stated, directing the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to arrest anyone caught engaging in mining activities.

Tinubu Urges World Leaders To Declare Theft Of Mineral Resources An International Crime.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on world leaders to recognise the stealing of countries’ mineral resources through illegal mining and smuggling as an international crime.

Speaking at the 7th Annual General Assembly of the Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA) in Abuja, the President said the illegal exploitation of Africa’s natural resources has become a global threat to economic stability and peace.

Tinubu lamented that billions of dollars are lost yearly to mineral smuggling, corruption, and illicit trade, which he said fuel insecurity, kidnapping and banditry across the continent.

“The stealing of our countries’ mineral resources should no longer be treated as a local issue. It is an international cr+me that undermines peace and stability,” he said.

The President urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the broader international community to strengthen legal frameworks that criminalize illegal mining and resource theft.

He also called for collective regional action to trace and recover stolen assets, while emphasizing transparency in their use. Tinubu disclosed that Nigeria has so far channelled over ₦100 billion in recovered proceeds into social intervention projects such as the Student Loan Scheme and the Consumer Credit Scheme.

“No nation can win this fight alone. We must build stronger partnerships and ensure that those who profit from our collective wealth face justice,” he added.

Tinubu further appealed to world leaders to support a global convention against resource theft, similar to existing international laws against drug and human trafficking.

Insecurity: "Nigerians Now Safer Under Tinubu" — Bwala

The Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Daniel Bwala, has declared that Nigerians are now safer than they were before 2023, crediting the improvement in national security to the current administration’s policies and reforms.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Bwala said incidents such as mass prison breaks, frequent kidnappings, and widespread terrorist attacks had significantly reduced since President Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.

“Before 2023, there were prison breaks everywhere in Nigeria even here in Abuja. In broad daylight, people were being kidnapped before President Bola Tinubu came on board,” he said. “After he became president, we have not had prison breaks. People are going about their businesses all over the country.”

Bwala, who previously served as spokesperson for the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Organisation before joining the Tinubu administration, argued that while isolated cases of insecurity still exist, they no longer threaten the country’s stability.

“There are still skirmishes here and there, but they are no longer the order of the day. The president’s leadership has restored relative calm,” he added.

Reacting to recent allegations by U.S. lawmakers that the Nigerian government was enabling a “Christian genocide,” Bwala dismissed the claims as false and politically motivated. He said the controversial report cited abroad was allegedly produced by a local civil society group with links to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

“No faith group is being targeted in Nigeria. The allegation of religious persecution is baseless and unfair to the country’s security agencies who have been risking their lives to protect all citizens,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to acknowledge the strides recorded under Tinubu’s leadership while continuing to support government efforts to consolidate peace and stability across the federation.

“Nigeria Now Safer Than Before 2023” — Bwala Defends Tinubu’s Security Achievements


The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has claimed that Nigerians are now safer under the Tinubu administration than they were before 2023.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Bwala stated that major security threats such as prison breaks and daylight kidnappings—which were rampant across the country—have drastically reduced since Tinubu assumed office.

“Before 2023, prison breaks were common everywhere, even in Abuja. Kidnappings in broad daylight were frequent. But since President Tinubu came on board, those incidents have largely stopped. Nigerians are superlatively safer today,” Bwala asserted.


He emphasized that while isolated security challenges still occur, the overall situation has improved nationwide. Bwala further argued that Nigeria’s crime rate is often exaggerated compared to other countries.

“Crimes committed in the United States in one day are more than what happens in Nigeria. People don’t put that into perspective,” he said.


Bwala also responded to recent claims by U.S. lawmakers led by Senator Ted Cruz, who accused the Nigerian government of enabling a “Christian genocide.” He dismissed the allegations as false and politically motivated, maintaining that insecurity in Nigeria is not religiously driven.

“That genocide claim is a well-coordinated agenda,” Bwala explained, alleging that the report cited by the U.S. senators originated from a local group with ties to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).


According to him, the controversy intensified after Vice President Kashim Shettima’s address at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), which boosted Nigeria’s international visibility and possibly drew political backlash.

Bwala reaffirmed that President Tinubu’s administration remains committed to security reform and national stability, urging citizens to recognize the visible progress achieved so far.

“Insecurity is not tied to any faith or region. What we are witnessing is steady progress in restoring law and order across Nigeria,” he concluded.

Meet Notorious Kidnap Kingpin Pardoned by President Tinubu.

A wave of outrage and disbelief has trailed the release of 44-year-old Kelvin Prosper Oniarah — the infamous Delta-born kidnap kingpin once declared one of Nigeria’s most dangerous criminals — following his inclusion in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s latest round of presidential pardons.

Oniarah, also known by his aliases Kelvin Ibruvwe and Kelvin Ezigbe, was arrested on September 25, 2013, in a joint operation by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Army. He was subsequently convicted for multiple counts of kidnapping, armed robbery, and terrorism-related offences that terrorised parts of Delta, Edo, Anambra, and Rivers States for years.

Trail of Violence and Terror
Before his arrest, Kelvin was the leader of a feared criminal syndicate responsible for high-profile kidnappings and killings. Among his victims was renowned human rights lawyer, Barrister Mike Ozekhome (SAN), abducted on August 24, 2013, along the Auchi–Benin expressway.

Other victims linked to his gang included:

A serving judge of the Edo State Judiciary,
A female Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) official,
Dr. Chudi Nwike, former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, who was killed in captivity,
Several National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and security personnel.
Kelvin’s network operated from camps in Warri and Kokori (Delta State), Ugbokolo (Benue), Benin City (Edo), and Aba (Abia State). His reign of terror also saw the killing of numerous policemen and soldiers during deadly ambushes.

Defiance Against the State
In a chilling episode that underscored his notoriety, Oniarah publicly issued a 60-day ultimatum to the Federal Government in September 2013, demanding the release of his detained gang members or face nationwide bloodshed — a threat that prompted one of the most extensive manhunts in Nigeria’s history.

Conviction and Release
Oniarah was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in October 2023, with his sentence backdated to 2013. It was later reduced to 13 years for what prison officials described as “good conduct” and participation in the National Open University of Nigeria correctional education programme.

His sudden release under the Tinubu administration’s controversial amnesty programme has sparked a storm of criticism from security analysts and victims’ families, who argue that granting clemency to an unrepentant criminal undermines justice and the fight against violent crime.

Kelvin’s freedom, after 12 years behind bars, now raises serious questions about the moral compass of the nation’s justice system

Abduction of 276 Chibok Girls Remain Indelible Scar on My Presidency — Jonathan.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has admitted that the 2014 abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls will forever remain a scar on his presidency.

He made the remark on Friday at the presentation of SCARS: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, a memoir by former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor. Commending Irabor, Jonathan described him as “a soldier who stood for truth and never played politics with security.”

Reflecting on his tenure, Jonathan said, “One of the major scars on my government is the Chibok Girls. As Bishop Kukah said, no plastic or cosmetic surgeon can remove it. It is a scar I will die with.”

The kidnapping of 276 girls from Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, triggered global outrage and birthed the #BringBackOurGirls campaign. Although some of the girls escaped or were freed, more than 80 remain unaccounted for.

Survivors still struggle with stigma, trauma, and interrupted education, with some returning home with children born in captivity.

Jonathan noted that Boko Haram’s activities, which began in 2009, worsened during his presidency. “I battled Boko Haram for five years as President. I thought Buhari would wipe them out quickly, but they remain. Sometimes they even had more munitions than our soldiers — that does not reflect the actions of hungry villagers,” he said.

While his administration was heavily criticised for its response to the tragedy, Jonathan defended his silence at the time, saying it was aimed at protecting sensitive intelligence. He insisted that the insurgency was more complex than many assumed and called for a renewed approach, stressing that the “carrot and stick” method might be necessary.

Over a decade later, successive governments have rescued or negotiated the release of about 189 girls, but dozens are still in captivity. The Federal Government maintains that freeing the remaining Chibok girls and Leah Sharibu remains a national priority.