THIS DAWN — The Federal Government has announced that it has placed Nigeria’s entire security architecture on its highest state of alert as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu intensifies efforts to curb the recent surge in terrorist attacks and violent criminality across the country.
The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed the development at a press briefing on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at Radio House, Abuja.
Idris conveyed President Tinubu’s condolences to families and communities affected by the killing of a senior Army General in Borno.
He also regretted the abduction of female students in Kebbi State, and the attack on worshippers at the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State.
He described the incidents as “painful reminders of the threats confronting the nation.
They have only strengthened the Federal Government’s resolve to defeat terrorism and banditry, noted Idris.
“President Tinubu has put our nation’s security apparatuses on the highest alert ever and deployed them to actively pursue and eliminate terrorists, bandits, and criminal elements wherever they may be in Nigeria,” he said.
He added that security forces have been mandated to swiftly rescue the abducted Kebbi schoolgirls and reunite them with their families.
He stressed that their safe return is an urgent national priority.
Tinubu postpones G20 and AU-EU Summit
The Minister disclosed that President Tinubu has postponed his scheduled participation at the G20 Summit in South Africa and the AU-EU Summit in Angola to focus exclusively on domestic security.
In response to the attack in Kwara, the President has ordered the deployment of additional military and police personnel to Eruku and the entire Ekiti Local Government Area, ensuring stronger security coverage and rapid response capability.
Idris further revealed that Vice President Kashim Shettima is currently in Birnin Kebbi, acting on the President’s directive, to meet with the state governor, security chiefs, traditional rulers, and families of the kidnapped students.
Addressing attempts to frame the attacks along religious lines, the Minister firmly rejected any sectarian interpretation of the nation’s security challenges.
He emphasised that terrorists and criminal networks have targeted Nigerians of all faiths and backgrounds.
“In this critical moment, national unity is our most powerful asset. We must reject misinformation and division.
“Our common enemies are terrorists and criminals seeking to destabilise our country,” he said.
Idris called for collective vigilance and support for security agencies.
He assured citizens that ongoing operations will lead to the rescue of the abducted schoolgirls and the restoration of peace in affected communities.
