DSS boss briefs Tinubu as U.S. offers support amid rising school abductions

The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, has met with President Bola Tinubu to provide an update on the country’s worsening security situation following a wave of abductions and attacks, particularly across northern Nigeria.

The meeting, disclosed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, took place late Friday at the Presidential Villa.

Photos released from the Villa showed the DSS DG in discussions with the President. Although details of the briefing were not shared, officials confirmed that it focused on the latest security threats and ongoing rescue operations.

Onanuga stated, “The Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, Mr Tosin Adeola Ajayi, briefed President Bola Tinubu on the security situation on Friday night.”

To intensify rescue efforts, the Federal Government has set up a joint task force comprising all security agencies to search the northern region for abducted schoolchildren. In a separate directive, Tinubu ordered the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State to coordinate operations.

The United States has also offered assistance to Nigeria following renewed school abductions. The offer was made after a meeting in Washington between U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. Their talks came shortly after the U.S. designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” and President Donald Trump warned of consequences over alleged persecution of Christians.

Wave of Abductions Deepens Concern

Pressure on the Presidency has mounted after multiple attacks on schools in recent days. Gunmen invaded St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State, around 2 a.m. on Friday, abducting hundreds of students and staff.

Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the attack, saying security operatives were currently combing nearby forests in search of victims.

The state’s Commissioner of Police, Abdullahi Elleman, said a full investigation was underway and warned that the school management would face sanctions for operating despite government orders to shut schools.

Following a fresh headcount, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) announced an updated figure of 315 abductees, 303 students and 12 teachers.

Witnesses said the attackers stormed the community in large numbers, arriving on more than 60 motorcycles and shooting the gatekeeper.

The Niger incident came on the heels of another attack in Maga, Kebbi State, where 25 schoolgirls were abducted on Sunday night.

In Kwara State, gunmen killed two people and abducted 38 worshippers during an attack on the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, demanding ₦100 million ransom per victim.

In response to the escalating crisis, the Federal Government ordered the closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges due to growing insecurity. Education Minister Tunji Alausa approved the shutdown “to prevent further breaches,” with many states also closing schools amid rising threats.

Fear has spread across several communities, prompting misinformation.

In Nasarawa State, police dismissed claims that two pupils were abducted from St. Peter’s Academy in Rukubi, describing the report as false.

Due to the gravity of the situation, President Tinubu has cancelled planned trips to Johannesburg and Angola to concentrate on national security coordination.

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