An armed terrorist group has released a new video claiming responsibility for the recent student abductions in Kebbi and Niger states, while threatening further attacks on soldiers and political office holders.

The video, which emerged on Monday and has since been circulating on social media, shows an armed man, speaking in Hausa, boasting that the group would soon begin targeting military personnel and politicians, insisting that the government “cannot stop” their operations.

The footage, which shows the individual surrounded by other armed men, has generated widespread speculation online, with citizens questioning the boldness and growing confidence of the terrorists.

READ ALSO:Bandits Place N100m Ransom On Each Abducted Victim Of Kwara Community

The threatening video emerged just a week after the abduction of 25 schoolgirls from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, and the attack on St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara LGA of Niger State, where over 300 students and 12 teachers were seized.

The video has intensified public anxiety as communities across the North continue to grapple with escalating attacks by bandits and other armed groups.

Security analysts say the video reflects the deteriorating security landscape and the increasing audacity of terrorists who operate with minimal deterrence.

READ ALSO:Zamfara Police Repel Bandits’ Attack, Rescue 25 Kidnapped Victims

In comments on X in reaction to the video, many Nigerians expressed outrage and frustration over the country’s worsening insecurity.

“This kind of boast shouldn’t even be possible in a functioning country. How did we get here?” @TaraBlinz said.

Another user, @justkency, stated, “The current state of Nigeria. Criminals are now emboldened enough to issue statements.”

Also reacting, @n95ly wrote, “Government officials should be the ones facing this. Leave innocent citizens out of it.”

Watch video here

All the 38 persons recently abducted in an attack on Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Oke-Isegun in Eruku community of Ekiti Local Government of Kwara have regained freedom.

The state government, through the office of the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Mallam Rafiu Ajakaye, disclosed this on Sunday.

The statement said the release followed many days of hard work by security forces and government representatives.

Ajakaye said, “The governor says this is wholly due to the hands-on approach of President Bola Tinubu, who has personally led the efforts to free the abductees.”

He recalled that the president had called off his scheduled trip for the G20 Meeting in South Africa to attend to the breaches in Kwara and Kebbi States.

READ ALSO:Bandits Place N100m Ransom On Each Abducted Victim Of Kwara Community

“He had also directed heightened security deployments to Kwara, in what underlined his firm commitment to the safety and well-being of our people and Nigerians as a whole,” he added.

He, however, conveyed the governor’s appreciation to the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the Nigeria Police, which he said have graciously deployed four new tactical teams on the directive of the President.

“The governor also thanks members of the security forces across board, thought leaders, religious institutions, and all Kwarans for their support and goodwill since the unfortunate incident,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Oke-Isegun in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, which was attacked last Tuesday by bandits who killed three, kidnapped 38 and wounded many, on Sunday held its first service since the deadly attack.

READ ALSO:Australian Govt Official Declares ‘Red Wednesday’ Over Attack On Kwara Church

The Sunday church service was held amidst a heavy security presence in and around the premises.

Journalists observed heavy deployment of security operatives across Eruku, including soldiers, the Special Tactical Squad from Force Headquarters, SWAT, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Kwara Police Command, and local vigilantes.

The deployment was said to have been the directive of President Bola Tinubu, who mandated joint operations to track the attackers and rescue the victims.

Meanwhile, the service, conducted inside the blood-stained auditorium where the attack occurred last Tuesday, was dominated by prayers for the release of the kidnapped worshippers and the repose of the deceased.

READ ALSO:Tragedy As 12-year-old Falls Into Well In Kwara, Dies

It was during the service that the church secretary, Michael Agbabiaka, hinted that the abductors had reduced the ransom money from N100 million per head to N20 million.

He also used the service to confirm that 38 persons were abducted, contrary to earlier figures of 60 circulating on social media.

According to him, the church initially compiled 35 names, but later, during a verification exercise, identified three additional non-members who were also kidnapped during the siege.

“Rumours that over 60 people were abducted are not true,” he told Sobi FM. “We have 38 people still in the bush. Three people died, and one is in the hospital receiving treatment. I have their names and phone numbers. We don’t want misinformation,” he clarified.

READ ALSO:Davido Reacts To Kwara Church Attack, Kebbi Girls Abduction

Agbabiaka further disclosed that the bandits initially demanded N100 million per victim, but the ransom was negotiated down to N20 million each before communication with the abductors broke off on Friday.

He added that despite fear and trauma, church leaders encouraged members to attend the service as a show of faith and resilience.

“As you can see, only a few people are present, but we thank God for life and for strengthening us. We also appreciate the government for deploying security operatives who are now patrolling the town and the church,” he told newsmen.

Earlier, the officiating pastor, Bamidele Lawrence, described the incident as a test of faith and revealed that he received divine assurances regarding the safety of the kidnapped.

He told the congregation that God promised the abducted worshippers would return alive, likening their situation to the biblical trials of the Israelites.

The Delta State police command has announced the arrest of a suspected serial killer and a prison escapee linked to multiple violent crimes in the past.

The suspect, known as Michael Ezenwai, was apprehended by the Agbor police division of the state on October 24, 2025, while he was attempting to sell a stolen phone.

Meanwhile, further checks revealed the phone belonged to a woman who was later found dead in her apartment.

During interrogation, the suspect confessed to murdering her during a robbery at her residence on 23rd October 2025.

Ezenwai has been linked to multiple violent crimes, including a 2020 rape and murder case involving a university student.

READ ALSO:Edo-Delta Oil Well Dispute: Tinubu Urged To Halt Drilling In Disputed Oil Rigs

Commenting on the arrest, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command, SP Bright Edafe, said the command swiftly took action after receiving a distress call.

“On the 24th of October 2025, the DPO Agbor received a complaint that one Michael Ezenwai was trying to sell a suspected stolen phone.

“The DPO swiftly mobilised operatives to the scene and immediately arrested the suspect. Upon interrogation, the suspect claimed that he brought the phone from Libya.

The DPO swiftly mobilised operatives to the scene and immediately arrested the suspect. Upon interrogation, the loop suspect claimed that he brought the phone from Libya,” she said.

Edafe said the suspect thereafter stated that he went on a robbery operation at her house on October 23, 2025, and murdered her when she refused to let go of her motorcycle keys, and also made away with her mobile phones.

READ ALSO:Police Arrests Principal Supplier Of Weapons To Bandits In Delta

He said preliminary investigation later revealed that the suspect is a serial murderer and was part of the syndicate that raped and murdered Uwaila Omorzua, a 200-level student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), who was murdered in the church when she went to study in 2020.

“The suspect further stated that he escaped from the Oko correctional centre during the EndSARS 2020 jailbreak. The suspect is in custody, and the investigation is ongoing,” the spokesman stated.

The suspect is currently in custody as the police continue their investigation.

In other news, Edafe has listed some of the achievements recorded from October to date by the Delta State Police Command under the leadership of CP Olufemi Abaniwonda.

He listed the number of firearms recovered as 13, number of ammunition and cartridges recovered – 591, number of kidnapped victims rescued – five, and total number of suspects arrested – 77.