President Bola Tinubu has mobilized the full weight of Nigeria’s security apparatus in response to last Friday’s coordinated attacks on several communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, directing the armed forces, police, DSS, and other intelligence agencies to launch a joint rescue operation for abducted victims.
In a firm statement issued through his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the President condemned the assault as “cowardly” and “barbaric,” vowing that terrorism would not break the nation’s resolve.
“Terror will not cow Nigeria. We will defend our people, protect our communities, and uphold the sanctity of human life. Those who carried out this cowardly attack on defenceless Nigerians are enemies of peace and enemies of humanity, who will not go scot-free.”
Tinubu has directed service chiefs to provide regular briefings on the rescue mission until every victim is accounted for. He extended condolences to the families of those killed and assured the people of Niger State that the Federal Government stands with them.
In a significant development, the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), reported an unprecedented spike in terrorist surrenders—rising from over 50 in the previous week to more than 150 in the current week.
Acting Military Information Officer Captain Mohammed Goni attributed the surge to sustained intelligence-led operations and a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic pressure, including strategic communication and civil-military engagement.
“The surge demonstrates the growing effectiveness of Operation Hadin Kai’s comprehensive counter-insurgency approach,” Goni said, adding that weapons and ammunition have been recovered from surrendering fighters.
All surrendering individuals are being profiled and processed in line with established protocols. The military high command has commended troops for their resilience and urged them to sustain the momentum.
Meanwhile, Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has firmly rejected the federal government’s proposed National Ranching Policy, insisting that his administration will not cede any portion of state land for ranching without the people’s consent.
Speaking during a tour of federal constituencies in Katsina-Ala, Alia declared:
“Nobody will force us to cede even an inch of our land to pastoralists for any purpose.”
To address security challenges in the Sankera axis, the governor announced plans to deploy three military units to Katsina-Ala, Logo, and Ukum, along with 30 motorcycles for security agencies to enhance patrols. He also revealed plans to construct a 460-megawatt dam to boost water supply and electricity generation.
Spear Insight
President Tinubu’s direct order for a coordinated rescue mission signals a shift toward centralized, multi-agency response in tackling mass abductions. Coupled with the military’s reported success in driving terrorist surrenders in the North-East, there appears to be a dual-front momentum—combat operations in the field and strategic non-kinetic pressure.
However, the Benue governor’s firm stance on the ranching policy highlights the delicate balance the Federal Government must strike between national security frameworks and state-level autonomy. As rescue operations unfold in Niger, all eyes remain on the service chiefs to deliver results swiftly
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