Terrorist Commander Threatens to Kidnap President Tinubu Amid Escalating School Abductions in Kebbi and Niger
A militant commander, in a chilling video, claims responsibility for recent school kidnappings in Kebbi and Niger states and warns that future targets include military officers, governors, and President Bola Tinubu.
A chilling warning from an unidentified militant commander has underscored the deepening insecurity gripping parts of northern Nigeria. In a video circulating online, the armed man - dressed in what appears to be a Nigerian military jacket - bragged about recent kidnappings of schoolchildren in Kebbi and Niger states, and ominously threatened to abduct top government officials in the days ahead, including President Bola Tinubu.
His remarks come amid a surge of mass abduction incidents and growing criticism of how the government is handling the crisis.
In the video, the militant does not mince words. He claims his group is “unfazed” by recent arrests by Nigerian security forces and asserts that the government has fundamentally failed to protect its citizens.
“Everyone has woken up. We kidnapped school students in Kebbi State and Niger State,” he says. “Next time, we will be kidnapping Nigerian military officers and taking them to the forest.”
He holds up the military-style jacket he is wearing and taunts authorities: “Look at the clothes I’m wearing - they belong to a soldier. Nigeria, in the days ahead, we will kidnap a governor, we will kidnap the President, and others.”
Suggesting Nigerians should abandon trust in the government, he tells viewers: “You people should return to God to protect you … The government cannot secure you.”
He ends the message by greeting his supporters on social media, saying: “No one among the big men can wipe your tears. We have woken up … Have a pleasant day.” - Sahara Reporters
Context: Recent Mass School Kidnappings
The threats come at a time of heightened kidnappings in Nigeria’s north. On November 21, 2025, gunmen stormed St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School in Agwara LGA, Niger State, abducting dozens of students and teachers - sources say as many as 100 people were taken, though exact numbers remain unverified.
That attack followed another on November 17, 2025, when around 25 girls were kidnapped from Maga Comprehensive Girls’ Secondary School in Kebbi State. A vice-principal was reportedly killed, and a school guard injured during the raid.
President Tinubu has responded to both incidents, ordering intensified rescue operations and directing Defence Minister Bello Matawalle to immediately relocate to Kebbi State to coordinate efforts. - ICIR News
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has also issued orders for troops under Operation FANSAN YANMA to conduct round-the-clock, intelligence-driven missions. - Vanguard News
National Alarm, Political Fallout
The video has ignited anger and deep concern across Nigeria’s political landscape. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the wave of attacks as “barbaric” and urged the federal government to urgently overhaul its security strategies.
Meanwhile, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore strongly condemned President Tinubu and the Inspector General of Police for their perceived silence in the face of escalating terror threats.
Security experts warn that the militant’s video represents a dangerous escalation - not just in terms of targets, but in boldness. According to analysts, the group’s willingness to explicitly profess intent to abduct governors, top officers, and even the president himself signals a shifting strategy from simply terrorizing communities to seeking high-stakes political leverage.
Government Response: Dire Warnings & Red Alerts
In response to the mounting security crisis, the government has placed the entire country on high alert. President Tinubu has publicly reassured Nigerians that authorities will use all available resources to rescue kidnapped students and punish the terrorists responsible.
“We will not relent … your cooperation is crucial in our fight against these security challenges,” he declared, appealing to communities to provide intelligence that will support security operations.
A Call for a Broader Strategy
Some political voices are calling for more than just rescue missions. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticized reactive measures - such as mass school closures - and urged a longer-term, strategic response that addresses the root causes of the kidnappings. - The Nation Newspaper
In their view, the government must go beyond responding to individual incidents and invest in coordinated intelligence sharing, community engagement, and sustained security presence in vulnerable regions.
What’s at Stake
Escalation of Attacks: The militant’s threat to abduct high-level officials raises the stakes, suggesting a new level of boldness and impact beyond ransom-based kidnappings.
Erosion of Trust: Public confidence in the government’s ability to protect citizens is being tested, especially in affected states.
Political Pressure: Calls for accountability and reform are growing louder, with opposition leaders demanding more effective security policies.
Risk of Destabilization: If the group carries out its threats, it could provoke widespread panic, targeting of institutions, and major instability - forcing a reassessment of Nigeria’s counterterrorism strategies.
In the face of these security challenges, there is the need for government to take proactive measures in areas like:
Security Reinforcement: The immediate priority for Nigerian authorities is to strengthen on-the-ground operations and intelligence capabilities to thwart further attacks and arrest key militant figures.
Community Engagement: Officials need to deepen partnerships with local vigilante groups, forest dwellers, and traditional leaders to gain better situational awareness in high-risk zones.
Political Dialogue: There are growing calls for a national security summit that brings together government, civil society, and opposition leaders to chart a unified strategy.
International Support: Given the scale and sophistication of the threat, Nigeria may seek enhanced cooperation from foreign partners in intelligence sharing, border security, and counter-insurgency training.
Address Root Causes: Long-term solutions must include investment in education, poverty reduction, and governance reforms in neglected rural regions to remove the fertile ground on which such militant ideologies or criminal networks thrive.
Final Thoughts
The chilling message delivered in the militant’s video - dressed in a soldier’s jacket and openly threatening the President, governors, and military officers - is a stark indication of how emboldened some armed groups have become in Nigeria. This is no longer just about kidnappings for ransom; it may be evolving into a more brazen campaign of political intimidation.
As the country reels from recent school abductions, the warnings raised in that video must be treated with the utmost seriousness. If left unchecked, they could mark a dangerous turning point in Nigeria’s ongoing security crisis. Nigerians, the government, and the international community now face a critical question: will they respond decisively - or risk watching the country’s instability spiral even further out of control?