Vice President Kashim Shettima has reassured the nation that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is fully resolved to ensure the safe rescue of all schoolchildren and citizens currently held captive by terrorists and bandits.
Speaking in Abuja shortly after a special Democracy Day Jummat prayer at the National Mosque, the Vice President reemphasized the federal government’s determination to triumph over the country’s security crises.
His remarks come during a tense period of heightened public anxiety. Meanwhile, the police have officially debunked rumors claiming that one of the girls abducted during the May 15 school raids in Oyo State had died, cautioning the public against spreading false information.
In a parallel development, private schools across Ibadan and other regions of Oyo State shut their doors in solidarity with public school counterparts, who are protesting the abduction of 47 individuals, including pupils, students, and teachers, from three schools in the Oriire Local Government Area.
While speaking to reporters after the prayers, Shettima emphasized that President Tinubu is deeply committed to bringing back peace and stability, urging the public to keep praying for Nigeria’s unity and progress. He insisted that the current wave of violence would not break the government’s resolve to restore order.
“I want to assure Nigerians of President Bola Tinubu’s unwavering commitment towards restoring peace and stability in the nation.
“No matter how long the night is, it must give way to the light of dawn. Stormy as the weather may be, it will not rain forever.
“The government remains irrevocably committed to restoring peace and stability in the nation,” Shettima said.
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The Vice President also called on citizens to sustain their prayers for one another, noting that the shared bonds among Nigerians are far more powerful than any internal divisions.
He paid tribute to the sacrifices of past national heroes who fought to establish and maintain the democratic governance the country enjoys today, describing Democracy Day as a vital moment for reflection, appreciation, and a renewed focus on national growth.
During the service, the Chief Imam of the National Mosque, Haroun Eze, delivered a sermon calling on Nigerians to stay patriotic and defend the nation’s unity. The cleric also pressed leaders across all tiers of government to implement aggressive measures to eliminate insecurity, reminding them that national safety is the foundation of public welfare and economic growth.
The high-profile prayer session drew several prominent figures, including Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Mohammed Idris; Gboyega Oyetola; and Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Other notable attendees included Mahmoud Yayale Ahmed, Abubakar Kyari, and Ishaq Oloyede.
The gathering concluded with collective prayers centered on national unity, consolidating democratic achievements, and finding a unified path forward to defeat the country’s current hardships.
