On November 25, 2025, Nigeria was rocked by a surge of violence that has left the nation reeling and set off a wave of urgent calls for action. In a span of hours, mass abductions of students and staff from schools in Kebbi and Niger states, coupled with the assassination of Brigadier General Musa Uba and his troops in Borno State, have underscored the country’s deepening security crisis and ignited a debate over how best to protect its most vulnerable citizens.
The abductions began in the northwestern state of Kebbi, where armed attackers stormed an all-girls secondary school and kidnapped 25 students. Just as the country was trying to process that shock, news broke from neighboring Niger State: more than 300 students and 12 teachers had been taken from a Catholic school, a brazen act that left families and communities in anguish. According to local officials, these incidents occurred despite intelligence warnings pointing to an “elevated threat level across parts of Niger North Senatorial District.” The attacks, as reported by InFocus, have been widely condemned as direct assaults on Nigeria’s education system and the safety of its children.
The Kebbi civil society coalition wasted no time in denouncing the abductions. In a public statement, the group described the kidnappings as attacks on education and demanded stronger protection measures as well as psychological support for affected families. Their message was clear: “The protection of Nigerian lives must be the supreme and non-negotiable national priority, transcending all political agendas.”
Meanwhile, the security situation in Lagos prompted police there to intensify patrols around schools and worship centers. This move came after a noticeable surge in abductions and a troubling uptick in vehicle thefts, some of which were linked to new employees. Authorities aren’t taking any chances, especially as the ripple effects of violence in the north threaten to spread into other regions.
The violence reached a grim climax in Borno State, where Brigadier General Musa Uba and his troops were ambushed and killed. The Prayer and Support for the Nigerian Armed Forces and Other Security Agencies (PSNAFSA) described the assassination as a “devastating void” in the nation’s fight against terrorism. The group’s convener, Ambassador Mary Abayomi Fatile, called the tragedy a turning point that “must not be allowed to pass as another statistic in Nigeria’s long war against terrorism.”
PSNAFSA’s response was swift and uncompromising. In a nationwide alert, the organization demanded immediate and decisive government action, including the urgent re-armament of troops on the frontlines. Their statement was blunt: “There can be no lasting peace while these merchants of violence operate with impunity.” They called for a full-scale crackdown on the financiers and sponsors of terrorism, insisting that peace will remain elusive until those who bankroll insurgents are unmasked, exposed, and prosecuted.
The emotional toll of these events has been immense. While the nation celebrated the “miraculous” rescue of fifty of the kidnapped students and several teachers in Niger State—who have since been reunited with their parents, according to local authorities—the joy was quickly overshadowed by the bloodshed in Borno. For many Nigerians, the rescue offered a brief glimmer of hope in an otherwise dark week, but the loss of Brigadier General Uba and his men was a sobering reminder of the risks faced by those on the front lines.
In the wake of the attacks, Nigeria’s Senate President unveiled a five-year counter-terrorism plan. The plan, part of a broader government response, aims to strengthen security forces and address the root causes of banditry and insurgency. Experts interviewed by InFocus have pointed out that Nigerians make up 99% of the bandits operating in the troubled region, highlighting the need for homegrown solutions and local cooperation.
The issue of religious identity briefly entered the fray when a U.S. lawmaker claimed that the abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi were from a Christian enclave. Local officials swiftly disputed this, releasing the names of the abductees and clarifying that they are Muslims. The Kebbi state government’s rebuttal was intended to prevent the situation from being exploited for sectarian gain, a move that many observers saw as crucial for maintaining fragile community relations.
PSNAFSA’s statement went beyond calls for military action. The organization appealed directly to ordinary Nigerians, urging them to stand “shoulder-to-shoulder” with the armed forces through prayers, vigilance, cooperation, and moral support. “National security is a shared responsibility,” they reminded the public. Their message also extended to the media, calling for “supreme national responsibility” and warning that amplifying the atrocities of terrorists only serves to fuel fear and embolden criminal networks.
For families in Kebbi and Niger states, the trauma is far from over. While fifty of the more than 300 kidnapped students and 12 teachers have escaped and returned home, a major military-led search and rescue operation remains underway for those still in captivity. The fate of these children and educators hangs in the balance, and the nation waits anxiously for good news.
As the dust settles, the sense of urgency is palpable. Civil society groups, security agencies, and government officials all agree: the status quo is unsustainable. The attacks have exposed serious gaps in intelligence, response, and community engagement. There is growing consensus that a multi-pronged approach—combining military strength, community involvement, and targeted social support—is needed to turn the tide.
Yet, as PSNAFSA and others have warned, none of this will matter unless the financiers and sponsors of terror are brought to justice. “Enough is enough,” the organization declared. “The time for decisive action is now.”
Amid the grief and uncertainty, Nigerians have shown remarkable resilience. From civil society’s advocacy for stronger school protection to the nationwide outpouring of support for the armed forces, there is a sense that the country is, at last, ready to confront its security challenges head-on. Whether this moment marks the beginning of a new chapter or simply another cycle of tragedy remains to be seen. But for now, the message from every corner of Nigeria is clear: the protection of its people must come first, and the time for action cannot be delayed.
