By Vincent Egunyanga and Cross Udo
Gunmen on Sunday invaded a worship service at the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Omugo, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, abducting eight congregants in a brazen attack that has sparked fresh security concerns.
The assailants, suspected to be bandits, reportedly stormed the church during service, firing gunshots into the air to disperse and intimidate worshippers before whisking away their victims.
Confirming the incident, the Kwara State Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, said three of the abducted worshippers managed to escape from captivity, while five others remain in the hands of their captors.
She praised the swift response of security operatives and local volunteers, noting that their intervention helped limit the scale of the attack.
“The government commends the security agencies, forest guards and local vigilantes for their proactive response and the rescue of three of the eight victims,” Olukoju said.
Condemning the assault, she described it as a direct attack on places of worship and called for justice.
“The government condemns the cowardly targeting of religious centres under any guise,” she added, urging intensified efforts to apprehend those responsible.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Adekimi Ojo, also confirmed the incident, assuring that a coordinated rescue operation is underway.
“Joint patrol teams of the police and military are currently on the trail of the perpetrators,” he said.
Ojo disclosed that most of the victims are elderly, noting that only two of those abducted are below 70 years of age, raising concerns about their vulnerability in captivity.
Security agencies have since intensified surveillance and search operations across the area, as authorities work to secure the safe release of the remaining victims.
*We won’t allow insecurity to overshadow our efforts at helping vulnerable– Tinubu
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has declared that rising insecurity will not derail his administration’s commitment to protecting and supporting vulnerable Nigerians, even as efforts intensify to address security challenges across the country.
Speaking on Sunday at his Lagos residence while hosting Vice President Kashim Shettima and 23 state governors for the Eid-el-Fitr celebration, Tinubu said tackling insecurity has become the immediate focus of his government.
“Insecurity will not derail our efforts at helping the vulnerable,” the President said. “The next phase of our struggle is staring us in the face, and that is the challenge of insecurity in the country.”
He described insecurity as a major obstacle to national growth, stressing that his administration is strengthening international partnerships to confront the threat.
“Insecurity is an enemy of development, progress and prosperity. I am making all efforts to strengthen the contacts and networks necessary to tackle it,” he stated.
Tinubu disclosed that his recent visit to the United Kingdom included extensive discussions on security cooperation, particularly around equipment and technical support. He added that he has also engaged French President Emmanuel Macron on similar issues.
“One of the major discussions in the United Kingdom was on equipment and support. I also had a lengthy discussion with President Emmanuel Macron. They are collaborating with us, and I am reaching out to other nations as well,” he said.
The President and First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, returned to Nigeria on Friday after a three-day state visit to the United Kingdom, where King Charles III and Queen Camilla hosted them. Tinubu also met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during the visit.
Beyond security, the President raised concerns about the economic impact of the Middle East crisis, warning that it could drive inflation higher and weaken purchasing power.
“We should care more for the vulnerable. The Middle East crisis will spike inflation and affect our purchasing power. Labour unions and others will be gearing up to demand more support,” he noted.
Tinubu urged state governors to remain focused on policies that directly improve citizens’ livelihoods, while also stepping up efforts to confront criminal elements across the country.
He further advised them to introduce measures to cushion the rising cost of energy and transportation linked to global tensions.
The President also commended Vice President Shettima for his condolence visit to Borno State, assuring residents of improved protection through the deployment of modern technology.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, lauded the President’s leadership and called for collective action to end insecurity.
“Together, we must ensure that insecurity comes to an end,” he said, adding that discussions on state policing are ongoing. Proposals will be forwarded to the National Assembly for legislative backing.
The meeting brought together governors from across the federation, underscoring a coordinated approach to addressing Nigeria’s security and economic challenges.
*IGP disbands RRS, anti-kidnapping, other tactical squads nationwide amid rising insecurity
In a sweeping restructuring of the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has ordered the immediate disbandment of key tactical units across the country, a move coming amid worsening insecurity in several regions.
The directive affects prominent squads, including the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Anti-Kidnapping, Anti-Cultism, Scorpion Squad, Tiger Squad, Tactical Intelligence Response Squad (TIRS), Monitoring Units, Gender Units, and Anti-Robbery units.
The development marks one of the most far-reaching internal reforms of the police in recent years, with authorities yet to fully clarify what operational structure will replace the disbanded formations.
The decision comes against the backdrop of escalating insecurity nationwide, particularly in parts of northern Nigeria where communities continue to face repeated attacks and displacement.
Reacting to the worsening situation, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi decried the state of insecurity, describing recent events in Sokoto State as evidence of a deep governance failure.
“What we are witnessing… is tragic. It reflects a complete breakdown of governance and humanity,” Obi said in a post on his verified X account.
He was reacting to reports from Borgaja and surrounding communities in Sokoto State, where armed groups allegedly forced residents to abandon their homes.
According to Obi, the situation suggests that non-state actors are increasingly taking control of territories and dictating terms to citizens.
“How did we get to a point where Nigerians are taking instructions from terrorists instead of their government?” he queried.
Obi stressed that insecurity in the country has moved beyond routine criminality to a full-blown national crisis.
“This is no longer just a security issue; it is a national emergency. Nigerians deserve to live in peace, not at the mercy of terror,” he stated.
Findings indicate that Borgaja has suffered repeated attacks in recent months. On March 15, suspected fighters loyal to bandit leader Bello Turji reportedly invaded the town, killing at least two residents and forcing many to flee.
Earlier in January, armed men had also raided the same community, killing two people and abducting several others, while security sources confirmed multiple incursions along the Sokoto–Zamfara axis.
While the police leadership has yet to provide a detailed justification for the mass disbandment of tactical units, analysts say the move raises critical questions about operational readiness at a time when security challenges are intensifying.
