1. One Kebbi Schoolgirl Escapes Captors, Search Continues for 24 Others
A schoolgirl kidnapped alongside 24 classmates in Kebbi has escaped and returned to her family, giving investigators critical details as police, military units, and local hunters widen search operations across surrounding forests. The attack on the Maga school hostel, which occurred late Monday and left the vice principal dead, is part of a persistent pattern of mass abductions in the northwest where armed groups continue to target rural schools.
Authorities say the new information from the escaped student is shaping rescue strategies, while education officials face renewed scrutiny over gaps in the Safe School Initiative, which has received significant federal allocations in recent years.
2. Tinubu Postpones G20/Angola Trip Over Kebbi and Kwara Attacks
President Bola Tinubu delayed his planned trip to the G20 Summit in Johannesburg and a bilateral meeting in Luanda to remain in Abuja for high-level security briefings following the Kebbi school abduction and the attack on a church in Kwara. He directed security agencies to scale up operations in both states and monitor developments closely.
The postponement shifts focus toward immediate domestic pressures as rescue efforts intensify and communities await updates from the federal command.
3. Bandits Kill Worshippers in Kwara Church Attack
Gunmen attacked Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku during a Tuesday evening vigil, killing two worshippers and abducting others. Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq condemned the incident and confirmed that the federal government has approved additional troop deployments to the area.
Residents held protests today to demand a permanent security presence, saying repeated threats have disrupted normal life in communities previously considered relatively stable.
4. 44 Lawmakers Petition Tinubu on Nnamdi Kanu and Political Dialogue
Forty-four federal lawmakers submitted a petition asking President Tinubu to consider exercising his constitutional powers under Section 175 to grant clemency to IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu. They also called for a broad political dialogue involving key regional actors to address underlying grievances in the southeast.
Their request comes a day before the Supreme Court is expected to deliver judgment on Kanu’s ongoing case.
5. CBN Governor Announces Foreign Reserves Above $46 Billion
Central Bank Governor Olayemi Cardoso reported that Nigeria’s external reserves have surpassed $46 billion as of November 14, marking the country’s highest level since 2018. He attributed the increase to recent policy adjustments and inflows recorded in the last quarter.
The reserves boost comes amid ongoing efforts to stabilize the naira and manage inflation after months of currency volatility.
6. Senate Opens Probe into N144.7 Billion Safe School Initiative
The Senate launched an investigation into the Safe School Initiative to determine how N144.7 billion allocated to the programme has been utilized. Lawmakers say the inquiry was prompted by the Kebbi school abduction, raising concerns about the effectiveness of fencing, surveillance, and security personnel meant to protect vulnerable schools.
Committee members are expected to review project documents and conduct field assessments in the coming days.
7. Veteran Journalist Dan Agbese Dies at 80
Dan Agbese, co-founder of Newswatch magazine and one of Nigeria’s most influential journalists, has died at age 80. Tributes from across the country highlighted his decades of impactful reporting, particularly during periods of military rule. President Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described him as a significant voice in Nigeria’s media history.
Agbese’s career spanned more than five decades, during which he mentored several generations of journalists and played a prominent role in shaping investigative reporting in Nigeria.
