An alleged terrorist commander has issued new threats against Nigeria, declaring that his group will soon begin targeting military officers, state governors, and even President Bola Tinubu for abduction.

In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, the armed militant — wearing what appeared to be a Nigerian military jacket — boasted about recent kidnappings of schoolchildren in Kebbi and Niger states.

The terrorist, whose identity was not immediately confirmed, said they are unfazed by recent arrests made by security forces.

According to him, the Nigerian government had failed in its responsibility to protect citizens.

“Everyone has woken up. We kidnapped school students in Kebbi State and Niger State. Next time, we will be kidnapping Nigerian military officers and taking them to the forest,” he said in the video.

Pointing to the jacket he wore, he continued: “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.”

The terrorist further claimed that Nigerians should place their hopes in divine protection rather than the government, insisting that authorities could not guarantee safety.

“We are not concerned that they have arrested anyone. The government cannot secure you. You people should return to God to protect you, answer your wishes, and wipe the tears from your eyes,” he said.

He ended the recording by greeting his followers on social media, saying, “No one among the big men can wipe your tears. We have woken up. I greet all of you on social media. Have a pleasant day.”

On November 21, 2025, SaharaReporters reported terrorists in the early hours of Friday morning stormed St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, abducting an unspecified number of students and teachers, SaharaReporters has learnt.

Multiple community sources who visited the school after the attack confirmed the invasion, describing it as a coordinated operation that lasted between 2am and 3am.

Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, the Head of Disaster and Relief for Agwara Local Government, also confirmed the incident, alongside Bello Gidi, media aide to the Chairman of Agwara Local Government.

Speaking with SaharaReporters, Gidi said, “Yes it’s true that bandits have kidnapped students and teachers at St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School Papiri, Agwara LGA, Niger State.”

He further revealed the scale of the attack, stating, “The information that is reaching us is that they have kidnapped over 100 students and teachers. Also, it is a mixed school with boys and girls.”
The attack comes five days after terrorists stormed the Maga Comprehensive Girls’ Secondary School in Kebbi State, abducting about 25 female students and killing at least one staff member.

A school guard was also injured during the attack, which occurred around 5:52 am.
The attackers invaded the school compound while the students were preparing for morning routines, launching their assault with sporadic gunfire.

SaharaReporters also gathered that the gunmen not only abducted several female students but also left a trail of fear and chaos in their wake.